ariolation

English

Alternative forms

• hariolation

Etymology

From (the stem of) Latin ariolari, hariolari, from hariolus (“soothsayer”) +‎ -ation.

Noun

ariolation (uncountable)

1. (obsolete) Soothsaying; prophecy.
   • 1646, Thomas Browne, Pseudodoxia Epidemica, I.3:

     Thus the Priests of Elder time, have put upon them many incredible conceits, […] deluding their apprehensions with Ariolation, South saying, and such oblick Idolatries […]

   • 1685, Francis Rous, Seven Books of the Attick Antiquities, page 323:

     […] belongs to the technical part of divination, and may be reckoned for an Art, as well as any other sort of Ariolation.

   • 1842, The Colonial Magazine and Commercial-maritime Journal‎, page 60:

     The foolish system of ariolation is much practised by the primitive Papuas, previously to entering into any undertaking.