divination
gb/dˌɪvənˈeɪʃən/ us/dˌɪvənˈeɪʃən/
C1
English
jóslás, jövendőmondás, megérzés, jóslómágia, jóslási szertartás
NOUN
C1
1
jóslás
B2
Usage pattern:
divination (by/through [method]); divination from [signs]
In ancient Rome, divination was used to decide whether a military campaign should go ahead.
Az ókori Rómában jóslással döntötték el, elinduljon-e egy hadjárat.
She offers divination services, including tarot readings and palmistry.
Jóslással foglalkozik, többek között tarotkártyából vet és tenyérből jósol.
The museum has a display of divination tools used to interpret dreams and omens.
Learner examples
Some people believe in divination.
Vannak, akik hisznek a jóslásban.
Tarot reading is a kind of divination.
A tarotjóslás a jóslás egyik fajtája.
Common mistake:
Don't confuse divination (predicting/learning by supernatural signs) with divine (connected to a god) or divinity (godhood).
Meaning
predicting the future by magic
Collocations
practice divination
|a form of divination
|divination rituals
|divination methods
|divination techniques
|divination tools
|divination by tarot
|divination by astrology
|divination by casting lots
|divination with runes
Synonyms
fortune-telling (common, everyday term for predicting the future.)
|
soothsaying (more literary; suggests prophecy.)
|
augury (often historical; specifically from omens.)
Themes
religion
|superstition
|magic
|culture
Definition
the practice of trying to know the future using magic or signs
the practice of trying to discover the future or hidden information by using supernatural powers or by interpreting signs and omens
NOUN
C1
LITERARY
2
megérzés
B1
Usage pattern:
by (sheer) divination; a divination that [clause]
By sheer divination, she guessed the password on her first try.
Szinte puszta megérzésből elsőre kitalálta a jelszót.
He seemed to know what I was thinking, not by logic but by divination.
Úgy tűnt, tudja, mire gondolok, nem logikával, hanem valamiféle megérzéssel.
The editor’s divination of what readers wanted turned out to be exactly right.
Learner examples
I guessed it by divination.
Megérzésből találtam ki.
She knew the answer as if by divination.
Úgy tudta a választ, mintha megérzésből jött volna rá.
Common mistake:
In this meaning, divination is often used figuratively (not literally about magic), especially in phrases like "as if by divination".
Meaning
uncanny intuitive guessing
Collocations
by sheer divination
|as if by divination
|uncanny divination
|a kind of divination
Synonyms
intuition (more common; focuses on instinct rather than the supernatural feel.)
|
hunch (informal; a quick instinctive guess.)
Antonyms
deduction (reasoning from evidence rather than an unexplained insight.)
Themes
thinking
|communication
Definition
a very good guess that feels like magic
an unusually accurate guess or understanding that seems to come without clear evidence, as if by supernatural insight
NOUN
C1
3
jóslás
B2
jóslómágia
C1
Usage pattern:
divination magic; a spell of divination
In the game, divination lets you reveal hidden traps and secret doors.
A játékban a jóslás segítségével felfedheted a rejtett csapdákat és titkos ajtókat.
The wizard specialized in divination rather than combat spells.
A varázsló inkább a jóslásra szakosodott, mint a harci varázslatokra.
The story treats divination as a risky form of magic with unpredictable results.
Learner examples
Divination magic shows the future.
A jóslómágia megmutatja a jövőt.
Meaning
magic focused on seeing the future
Collocations
divination magic
|a divination spell
|a divination school
|divination abilities
|divination powers
Synonyms
scrying (a specific divination method (e.g., crystal ball), often in fantasy.)
Themes
magic
|literature
|games
Definition
a kind of magic for finding hidden information
a category of magic or occult practice concerned with gaining knowledge of the future or of things that are hidden, especially in fiction or fantasy settings
NOUN
C2
FORMAL
4
jóslás
B2
Usage pattern:
perform a divination; a divination for [purpose]
The priest performed a divination before the journey began.
A pap jóslást végzett, mielőtt útnak indultak.
They asked for a divination to determine the best day for the wedding.
Jóslást kértek, hogy kiderüljön, melyik a legjobb nap az esküvőre.
Each divination followed the same sequence of chants and signs.
Meaning
a single act of divining
Collocations
perform a divination
|conduct a divination
|a divination ritual
|a divination ceremony
Synonyms
reading (informal; often used for tarot or palm readings.)
Themes
religion
|culture
Definition
one time of trying to predict or discover something by magic
a single instance of performing divination, especially a formal or ritual act of seeking a prediction or hidden knowledge
Grammar
Dictionary form
divination
IPA
GB/dˌɪvənˈeɪʃən/
US/dˌɪvənˈeɪʃən/
Syllables & stress
divin - a - tion (3 syllables)
Stress on 3rd syllable (tion)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: divination
- Plural: divination, divinations
Word family
Forms
divinations
noun
Core family
divine
verb B2
diviner
noun
Advanced or less common
divinatory
adjective
Expressions
as if by divination
1/ˈæz ˈɪf bˈaɪ dˌɪvənˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
literary
as if by magical insight
in a way that feels like magic because it is so accurate
Examples
- She arrived at exactly the right moment, as if by divination.
- He found the missing file as if by divination, without anyone telling him where to look.
- They chose the winning design as if by divination.
Learner examples
- He knew my secret as if by divination.
by divination
1/bˈaɪ dˌɪvənˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
formal
by supernatural means or guessing
by magic or by a very good guess
Examples
- In the tale, he learns the king’s fate by divination.
- I wasn’t told the plan—I had to work it out by divination.
- They claimed to identify the thief by divination.
Learner examples
- I guessed it by divination.
the art of divination
1/ðə ˈɑɹt əv dˌɪvənˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
formal
the skill or practice of divining
divination as a skill that people learn
Examples
- The book introduces readers to the art of divination across different cultures.
- She studied the art of divination under an experienced astrologer.
- Legends describe the art of divination as both powerful and dangerous.