Metallurgy and Mining: Terms and Concepts

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divining rod

The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed. | 2011 | Copyright

divining rod or dowser, stick used in searching for underground water or minerals. This form of divination is still in common use in many parts of the world. The instrument is typically a forked twig. The operator holds the forked ends of the twig close to his body, with the stem pointing forward. When he walks over a spot under which water or the desired mineral lies, the stem of the divining rod is supposedly pulled down. Impartial research, however, has indicated that successes in this method result mostly from chance and possibly also from a heightened sensitivity to visual cues of which the diviner is unaware.

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"divining rod." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-divining.html

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divining

A Dictionary of Earth Sciences | 1999 | | Copyright

divining (dowsing, water-witching) The use of hand-held hazel sticks, pendulums, copper wires, etc., to detect the presence of groundwater. When groundwater is present the hand-held instrument is reputed to move or twitch. There is no conclusive evidence to show that divining can locate groundwater any better than a random sinking of wells, but it is widely used nevertheless.

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AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY. "divining." A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY. "divining." A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O13-divining.html

AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY. "divining." A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. 1999. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O13-divining.html

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divining

A Dictionary of Ecology | 2004 | | Copyright

divining(dowsing, water-witching) The use of hand-held hazel sticks, pendulums, copper wires, etc., to detect the presence of groundwater. When groundwater is present the hand-held instrument is reputed to move or twitch. There is no conclusive evidence to show that divining can locate groundwater any better than a random sinking of wells, but it is widely used nevertheless.

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MICHAEL ALLABY. "divining." A Dictionary of Ecology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

MICHAEL ALLABY. "divining." A Dictionary of Ecology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O14-divining.html

MICHAEL ALLABY. "divining." A Dictionary of Ecology. 2004. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O14-divining.html

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divining rod

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English | 2009 | Copyright

di·vin·ing rod • n. a stick or rod used for dowsing.

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"divining rod." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"divining rod." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-diviningrod.html

"divining rod." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-diviningrod.html

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divining rod

The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable | 2006 | | Copyright

divining rod a stick or rod, typically forked, used for dowsing.

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ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "divining rod." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "divining rod." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-diviningrod.html

ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "divining rod." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-diviningrod.html

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Free newspaper and magazine articles

	Kooky Chris: how I talk to ghosts - and rearrange the divan with divining... Newspaper article from: The Mail on Sunday (London, England); 5/17/2009
	Divining the Mystery of the Rod.(Virginia Beach Beacon) Newspaper article from: The Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk, VA); 8/3/2006
	Modern-day divining rod finds water.(new product information)(Brief... Magazine article from: Design News; 12/4/2000