The act of telling someone's fortune or predicting their future, often using cards, crystals, or other mystical methods.
From Middle English 'fortune' (from Old French 'fortune', Latin 'fortuna' meaning chance or fate) plus the present participle suffix '-ing'. The practice emerged as superstition evolved into formalized divination practices.
Fortune-telling has been traced back to ancient Babylon and Egypt, but the word 'fortune' itself became popular during the Renaissance when astrology was considered a legitimate science—even educated people believed in it!
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.