Emily Dickinson Lexicon

CA-TOP'TRO-MAN-CY, n. [Gr. κατοπτρομαντεια; κατοπτρος, a mirror, and μαντεια, divination.]

A species of divination among the ancients, which was performed by letting down a mirror into water, for a sick person to look at his face in it. If his countenance appeared distorted and ghastly, it was an ill omen; if fresh and healthy, it was favorable. – Encyc.