necromancy

noun

1. a method of divination through alleged communication with the dead; black art.
2. magic in general, especially that practiced by a witch or sorcerer; sorcery; witchcraft; conjuration.

noun

1. the art or practice of supposedly conjuring up the dead, esp in order to obtain from them knowledge of the future
2. black magic; sorcery

n.c.1300, nygromauncy, “divination by communication with the dead,” from Old French nigromancie “magic, necromancy, witchcraft, sorcery,” from Medieval Latin nigromantia (13c.), from Latin necromantia “divination from an exhumed corpse,” from Greek nekromanteia, from nekros “dead body” (see necro-) + manteia “divination, oracle,” from manteuesthai “to prophesy,” from mantis “prophet” (see mania). Spelling influenced in Medieval Latin by niger “black,” on notion of “black arts.” Modern spelling is a mid-16c. correction. Related: Necromantic.