Fortune-telling

vbl. sb. [Cf. prec.] The practice of ‘telling fortunes.’

1577.  Northbrooke, Dicing (1843), 56. Forbidding (by Paule’s wordes) euill and vnprofitable artes, as of enterludes, stage playes, jugglings and false sleyghts, witchcraftes, speculations, diuinations, or fortune tellings, and all other vayne and naughtie curious kynde of artes.

1598.  Shaks., Merry W., IV. ii. 184. We are simple men; wee doe not know what’s brought to passe vnder the profession of Fortune-telling.

1655.  Walton, Angler, v. (ed. 2), 161. The gypsies were then to divide all the money that had been got that week, either by stealing linen or poultry, or by fortune-telling or legerdemain.

1732.  Berkeley, Alciphr., VI. § 21. They [the Chinese] are men of a trifling and credulous curiosity, addicted to search after the Philosopher’s Stone, and a Medicine to make Men immortal, to Astrology, Fortune-telling, and Presages of all kinds.

  So Fortune-telling ppl. a. Also (nonce-wd.) Fortune-tell v., a back-formation from prec.

1598.  Shaks., Merry W., IV. ii. 196. Out of my doore, you Witch, you Ragge, you Baggage, you Poulcat, you Runnion, out, out: Ile coniure you, Ile fortune-tell you.

a. 1659.  Cleveland, Fuscara, 26, Wks. (1687), 2.

1681.  Colvil, Whigs Supplic. (1741), 37.

1795–1814.  Wordsw., Excursion, VII. 88.