repr. Gr. βοτανο-, combining form of βοτάνη plant; cf. BOTANIC, BOTANY. Hence in 17th c. were formed many short-lived compounds in imitation of those of ASTRO-. † Botanographer, † Botanographist, one who describes plants. † Botanography, the (or a) description of plants. † Botanologer, a botanist. † Botanological a., relating to botany. † Botanology, botany. Botanomancy (incorrectly † botomancy), divination by plants. † Botanomical a. [wrongly formed, cf. astronomical], botanical. † Botanomy, botany.
1682. Weekly Mem. Ingen., 271. These Names are collected out of all Writers…, as well Botanographers and Physicians, as Lexicographers.
1662. Fuller, Worthies (1840), II. 496. Doctor Bowle, my worthy friend, and most skilful *botonographist.
1731. Zollman, in Phil. Trans., XXXVII. 219. We still want a *Botanography, or Description of the Plants.
1658. Sir T. Browne, Gard. Cyrus, i. 102. The wisedom of that eminent *Botanologer [Solomon]. Ibid., iv. 175. The Tree … which stricter *Botanology will hardly allow to be Camphire.
1755. Johnson, Dict., Botanology.
1610. Healey, St. Aug. Citie of God, 294. Divination … by Hearbes, *Botonomancy.
1640. E. Chilmead, trans. Ferrand’s Love Melanch., 176. Botanomancy … is done by the noise or crackling that knee holme, box, or bay leaues make when they are crushed betwixt one’s hands or cast into the fire.
1653. Urquhart, Rabelais, III. xxv. To have the truth of the matter … disclosed unto you by *botomancy.
1861. W. Smith, Dict. Bible, I. 442. Botanomancy.
1656. Blount, Glossogr., Botomical or rather *Botanomical, pertaining to hearbs.
1716. M. Davies, Ath. Brit., III. 37. Chiron … cultivated Botanomy.
