sb. The reading of another person’s thoughts; direct perception by one mind of what is passing in another, independent of ordinary means of expression or communication: a power alleged to be possessed by certain persons or by persons in certain psychic states. Hence allusively. So Thought-read v., trans. to read a person’s thoughts (with the person or the thought as obj.); intr. to practise thought-reading; Thought-reader, one who practises or professes thought-reading; Thought-reading a., that practises thought-reading.
1855. Smedley, etc., Occult Sc., 258. Thought-reading, in certain experiences of the somnambulist.
1880. Mrs. Forrester, Roy & V., I. 30. Did you ever hear of people being thought-readers?
1883. Fortn. Rev., 1 Aug., 275. The most recently refurbished mystery in the guise of science, viz. that of so-called ‘Thought-reading.’
1891. Mrs. Riddell, Mad Tour, 111. No thought-reader could have imagined the topic that was engaging Bobby’s mind.
1892. 19th Cent., Jan., 37. These thought readings and foretellings.
1898. L. A. Tollemache, Talks w. Gladstone, 166. One would like to have seen, or (better still) to have thought-read, Carlyle.
1899. Daily News, 9 Dec., 6/4. Do you think your thought-reading gift could be turned to practical service in detective work—a thought-reading Sherlock Holmes?
1906. Pall Mall G., 4 Jan., 2. He thought-read the conditional intentions of the British commander.
