1. The practice of divination by examining the entrails of sacrificed animals, especially the liver, in ancient Rome.
Usage: historical; also called haruspication

Examples

• The Roman priests consulted haruspicy before making important military decisions.
• Haruspicy was a respected form of prophecy in ancient Roman society.
• The haruspex examined the animal's liver as part of the haruspicy ritual.
• Many Romans believed that haruspicy could reveal the will of the gods.
• The practice of haruspicy declined as Christianity spread throughout the Roman Empire.