taghairm ,
n :
(historical, Scotland) An ancient divination method of the Highland Scots involving animal sacrifice. A method of divination involving sewing a person into the hide of a freshly-killed ox which was then placed beside a waterfall or other desolate place, to enable the person to foresee the outcome of an impending battle; the oracle of the hide. A method of divination in which cats were roasted alive to call up the spirit of the demon cat who would grant the wishes of the torturers.
