(from λίθος, a stone, and μαντεία, divination), divination performed by means of stones. The stone used for this purpose was washed in spring water by candle-light, and the person engaged in divining, having purified himself, covered his face, repeated a form of prayer, and placed certain characters in a certain order. Then the stone was said to move of itself, and in a soft, gentle murmur to give the answer. (See DIVINATION).