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Glite Dictionary
onomancer

onomancer

9.9
A person who uses names to predict someone's future
  • noun
  • /ˈɒnəˌmænsər/
  • Archaic
: onomante
  • The village onomancer was often consulted before children received their names.

Examples

  • As an experienced onomancer, she believed that names held the key to understanding one's destiny.

  • Historians have noted the influence of onomancers in ancient naming rituals.

  • An onomancer can reveal hidden meanings in names.

  • Many people consult an onomancer for guidance.

  • As an experienced onomancer, she believed that names held the key to understanding one's destiny.

  • The village onomancer was often consulted before children received their names.

  • Historians have noted the influence of onomancers in ancient naming rituals.

Surface Forms

onomancer singular
onomancers plural

Morphology

onomancer = onomancy (transparent) = onomancy + er

The word is a regular agent noun meaning 'a person who practices onomancy,' so the relationship between the base and the derived form is straightforward.

Etymology

Onomancer comes from the Greek root onoma meaning 'name' and the ending -mancer meaning 'one who tells the future', as in necromancer. So an onomancer is someone who tries to learn a person's future or destiny from their name.