crystal-gazing
Definition
- Noun (uncountable):
- Act of divination using a crystal: "crystal-gazing" refers to the practice of staring into a crystal ball (or other reflective surface) with the aim of seeing visions or gaining knowledge about the future or hidden matters.
Usage Examples
- (The practice of seeing visions in a crystal ball.)
- (The activity of using a crystal for divination.)
Advanced Usage
- "Crystal-gazing" as a metaphor: In business or planning, "crystal-gazing" can describe the act of trying to predict future trends or outcomes, often with a sense of uncertainty.
- The economist's report was dismissed as mere crystal-gazing rather than solid analysis. (Speculative prediction without reliable data.)
Variants and Related Words
Crystal-gazer (noun): a person who practices crystal-gazing.
- The crystal-gazer gazed into her sphere and murmured a prophecy. (A fortune-teller who uses a crystal ball.)
Crystal ball (noun): the spherical object used in crystal-gazing.
- He bought a polished crystal ball for his study. (The tool used for divination.)
Synonyms
- Scrying: a broader term for divination by gazing into a reflective surface (e.g., water, mirrors, crystals).
- Fortune-telling: the general practice of predicting the future.
- Divination: the art of seeking knowledge of the unknown through supernatural means.
Related Idioms
Crystal-clear: perfectly transparent or easy to understand (not directly related to crystal-gazing, but shares the word "crystal").
- Her instructions were crystal-clear. (Very easy to understand.)
Gaze into one's crystal ball: to try to predict the future, often humorously.
- If I could gaze into my crystal ball, I'd tell you the exam questions. (Hypothetical prediction.)