ptarmoscopy

From Ancient Greek πταρμός (ptarmós, “sneeze”) +‎ -scopy.

ptarmoscopy (uncountable)

1. (very rare) The divinatory interpretation of sneezes.

   Hypernym: divination

   • 1901, Maria Ward Brown, The life of Dan Rice‎^[1], page 352:

     He divined by Metascopy, the lines in the forehead; […] by Ptarmoscopy, sneezing; […]

   • 2005, Robert J. Rabel, Approaches to Homer, Ancient and Modern, page xiii:

     A catalogue of ancient sneezes and sneeze-interpretation (ptarmoscopy) is also provided.

   • 2007, D. Nutt, The Classical Review, Issue 1‎^[2]:

     […] , linking this action with her earlier laugh at Telemachus' sneeze (17.541-50) and the mantic qualities of such involuntary movements, as revealed by later examples of 'ptarmoscopy' in ancient literature.