palmistry

noun

palm·​ist·​ry ˈpä-mə-strē How to pronounce palmistry (audio)
ˈpäl-,
ˈpȯ-,
ˈpȯl- How to pronounce palmistry (audio)
: the art or practice of reading a person's character or future from the lines on the palms

Examples of palmistry in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web More than a party trick, palmistry can act as a reality check and excuse for a dose of self-reflection. Alyssa Girdwain, Women's Health, 31 May 2023 Read on for everything to know, according to palmistry experts. Alyssa Girdwain, Women's Health, 31 May 2023 But what exactly is palmistry? Aliza Kelly Faragher, Allure, 3 Jan. 2020 In palmistry, Mars covers a lot of ground. Aliza Kelly Faragher, Allure, 3 Jan. 2020 Fortune-telling methods include general readings, palmistry, crystallomancy, and others. Dallas News, 29 Aug. 2022 After falling out of favor around the Middle Ages, palmistry underwent a monumental revival in the 19th century as interest in the occult grew. Aliza Kelly Faragher, Allure, 3 Jan. 2020 By the mid-1900s, palmistry was fully integrated within American pop culture. Aliza Kelly Faragher, Allure, 3 Jan. 2020

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'palmistry.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English pawmestry, probably from paume palm + maistrie mastery

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of palmistry was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near palmistry

Cite this Entry

“Palmistry.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/palmistry. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

palmistry

noun
palm·​ist·​ry ˈpäm-ə-strē How to pronounce palmistry (audio) ˈpäl-mə- How to pronounce palmistry (audio)
: the art or practice of reading a person's character or future from markings on the palm of the hand
palmist
ˈpäm-əst
ˈpäl-məst
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on palmistry

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!