divination Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun successful conjecture by unusual insight or good luck
  2. noun a prediction uttered under divine inspiration
    prophecy.
  3. noun the art or gift of prophecy (or the pretense of prophecy) by supernatural means
    fortune telling; foretelling; soothsaying.

WordNet

Div`i*na"tion noun
Etymology
L. divinatio, fr. divinare, divinatum, to foresee, foretell, fr. divinus: cf. F. divination. See Divine.
Definitions
  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. Deut. xviii. 10.
    ✍ 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. Sir T. North.

Webster 1913