in Antiquity, a kind of prophets or religious conjurers, who, by abominable prayers and horrible sacrifices at the altars of idols, procured answers to their questions concerning future events. Isid. Orig. lib. viii. cap. 9. These are also called harioi, and their operation hariotatio. Sometimes they were denominated aruspices or haruspices. The arioi were distinguished by a slovenly dress, disorderly and matted beards, hair, &c.