planchette

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“
The Chinese use a form of planchette, which is half a divining rod--a branch of the peach tree; and 'spiritualism' is more than three-quarters of the religion of most savage tribes, a Maori seance being more impressive than anything the civilised Sludge can offer his credulous patrons.

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Definitions (5)

Toggle American Heritage definitions American Heritage Dictionary (1)

  1. noun A small triangular board supported by two casters and a vertical pencil that, when lightly touched by the fingertips, is said to spell out subconscious or supernatural messages.

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Examples (50)

  • After dinner I was asked by the Duchess' granddaughters—Lady Aldra and Lady Mary Acheson—to join them at planchette, so, to please them, I put my hand upon the board. —  Margot Asquith, An Autobiography
  • Just because some chain of conjecture was beginning to form itself in my mind, I made no allusion to this odd adventure, and after dinner Margaret, amid protests from Hugh, got out the planchette which had persisted in writing "gardener." —  Collected Stories
  • As for the planchette, as likely as not it will do nothing but scribble and make loops. —  Collected Stories
  • You and your partner should place the fingers of both hands very lightly on the planchette, or pointer. —  Yahoo! Answers: Latest Questions
  • The planchette, the plastic marker shaped like an upside-down heart with a clear, circular window in the middle, sits there on top of a particular sullen little girl, her face all anticipation of the disappointments and defeats of adulthood. —  Brit Lit Blogs
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This word has been looked up 91 times.

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Etymologies (2)

Toggle American Heritage etymologies American Heritage Dictionary (1)

  1. French, from Old French, diminutive of planche, board; see planchet.

Toggle Century etymologies Century Dictionary (1)

  1. from French planchette, a small board, a circumferentor: see planchet.
 

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/plænˈtʃɛt/
by American Heritage

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