Divination

Div`i*na"tion (?), n. [L. divinatio, fr. divinare, divinatum, to foresee, foretell, fr. divinus: cf. F. divination. See Divine.] 1. The act of divining; a foreseeing or foretelling of future events; the pretended art discovering secret or future by preternatural means.

There shall not be found among you any one that . . . useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter.

☞ Among the ancient heathen philosophers natural divination was supposed to be effected by a divine afflatus; artificial divination by certain rites, omens, or appearances, as the flight of birds, entrails of animals, etc.

2. An indication of what is future or secret; augury omen; conjectural presage; prediction.

Birds which do give a happy divination of things to come.