Necromancy

Intermediate 🎓 Education / Academia

Definition

The practice of divination or magic based on communication with the dead, or more broadly, any form of sorcery or dark magic. Historically associated with witchcraft and supernatural practices forbidden in many religious traditions.

Example Usage

The fantasy novel's villain attempted necromancy to raise an undead army from the ancient graveyard.

Origin

From Greek 'nekros' (dead) and 'manteia' (divination), literally 'divination of the dead.'

Fun Fact

Necromancy appears in numerous ancient texts, including Homer's Odyssey, and has been condemned by Christian, Jewish, and Islamic traditions for centuries.

Source: Definition backfill (hailey)