Nigromance

Part of speech: noun, verb

Definitions

1. An archaic term for the dark arts of communicating with the dead to foretell the future or gain occult power
2. Old word for the practice of summoning spirits of the deceased to reveal hidden knowledge through sorcery
3. A obsolete name for necromancy, the sinister magical practice of consulting the spirits of the dead for prophecy

Etymology: In ancient Greek, "nekromanteia" meant divination by consulting the dead. It joined "nekros," corpse, and "manteia," prophecy, so a necromancer literally sought answers from the dead. The Latin form "necromantia" carried the same sense into medieval Europe. Medieval writers altered the word, probably by association with Latin "niger," black. The result, "nigromantia," made the art sound darker and more sinister than its original meaning. This spelling passed into Middle English as "nigromancy," and "nigromance" is a related form of the same word. Over time, the term often came to mean any sorcery or black magic, not only the raising of the dead. The original sense of speaking with corpses is still visible in its Greek parts.

Synonyms: necromancy, sorcery, witchcraft