[f. SPIRIT sb. + RAPPING vbl. sb.1]
1. pl. Rappings alleged to be made by spirits in answer to questions addressed to them.
1853. H. Spicer, Sights & Sounds, 88. This lady was a medium, and as the subject of ‘spirit rappings’ was already [etc.].
1859. in Bartlett, Dict. Amer. (ed. 2), 434.
2. Professed communication from or with spirits by means of raps or knockings made by these.
1854. N. S. Godfrey (title), The Theology of Table-Turning, Spirit-Rapping, and Clairvoyance, in connection with the Antichrist.
1862. G. H. Townsend, Man. Dates, s.v. The modern spirit-rapping originated in America, in the family of John D. Fox, in March, 1848.
1867. Augusta Wilson, Vashti, x. I don’t believe in spirit-rapping, and such stuff as dancing tables, and spinning chairs.
