the art of interpreting dreams; or a method of foretelling future events by means of dreams. See DREAM, DIVINATION, &c.—The word is formed from the Greek ονειρος, "dream," and κριτικη, of κρινων, judgment." Some call it oneirocritica; and derive it from ονειρος and κριτικη, "I profess, I command."

It appears from several passages of Scripture, that there was, under the Jewish dispensation, such a thing as foretelling future events by dreams; but then there was a particular gift or revelation required for that purpose.

Hence it has been inferred, that dreams are really significative, and do forbode something to come; and all that is wanting among us is the oneirocritica, or the art of knowing what; yet it is the opinion of many, that dreams are mere chimeras; bearing indeed some relation to what has passed, but none to what is to come. As to the case of Joseph, it was possible for God, who knew all things, to discover to him what was in the womb of fate; and to introduce that, he might take the occasion of a dream.