Chirognomy

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. The practice of analyzing character and personality traits by examining the lines, shapes, and features of the human hand
2. The process of understanding personality and character traits by studying the distinctive lines and shapes present in a person's hands
3. The art of interpreting individual character and personality by closely observing the unique markings and forms found on the hands of a person

Etymology: Chirognomy is a blend built from two pieces: the Greek "cheir," meaning hand, supplies the first half, and "-gnomy" is taken from physiognomy, the older practice of reading character from facial features. The pattern is simple, with the new word following the familiar model of physiognomy and swapping the face for the hand. The method it names is the palm-reading tradition of judging personality from the shape of the hands, the length and proportions of the fingers, and the lines and mounds of the palm. Its logic borrows directly from physiognomy: if a face could reveal a person's nature, the hand, which is used constantly and often seen, could be read in the same way.