Cledonism

/ˈklɛdənɪzəm/ noun

Definition

The practice of divining the future or making decisions by interpreting random words, chance remarks, or passages; sortilege by words.

Etymology

From Greek klēdōn (a chance utterance, omen) plus -ism (a practice or system). From Greek roots meaning 'chance hearing' or 'listening to fate,' used for divination by random speech.

Kelly Says

In ancient Greece, if someone overheard a random conversation and thought it predicted their future, that was cledonism—it's basically superstition turned into a religion. Modern fortune tellers use similar logic: finding meaning in random events.

Related Words

Explore More Words

Get the Word Orb API

Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.