n. [ L. divinatio, fr. divinare, divinatum, to foresee, foretell, fr. divinus: cf. F. divination. See Divine. ]
There shall not be found among you any one that . . . useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter. Deut. xviii. 10. [ 1913 Webster ]
☞ 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. [ 1913 Webster ]
Birds which do give a happy divination of things to come. Sir T. North. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. [ L. See Divination. ] One who practices or pretends to divination; a diviner. [ R. ] Burton. [ 1913 Webster ]
a. [ Cf. F. divinatoire. ] Professing, or relating to, divination. “A natural divinatory instinct.” Cowley. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. [ L. divinus a soothsayer, LL., a theologian. See Divine, a. ]
The first divines of New England were surpassed by none in extensive erudition. J. Woodbridge. [ 1913 Webster ]
v. t.
A sagacity which divined the evil designs. Bancroft. [ 1913 Webster ]
Darest thou . . . divine his downfall? Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]
Living on earth like angel new divined. Spenser.
v. i.
The prophets thereof divine for money. Micah iii. 11. [ 1913 Webster ]
Suggest but truth to my divining thoughts. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]
a. [ Compar. Diviner superl. Divinest. ] [ F. divin, L. divinus divine, divinely inspired, fr. divus, dius, belonging to a deity; akin to Gr. &unr_;, and L. deus, God. See Deity. ]
A divine sentence is in the lips of the king. Prov. xvi. 10. [ 1913 Webster ]
But not to one in this benighted age
Is that diviner inspiration given. Gray. [ 1913 Webster ]
Yet oft his heart, divine of something ill,
Misgave him. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]
Church history and other divine learning. South.
adv.
Most divinely fair. Tennyson. [ 1913 Webster ]
Divinely set apart . . . to be a preacher of righteousness. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. Divination. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]
n. The quality of being divine; superhuman or supreme excellence. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]