pluviculturen.
/ˈpluːvᵻˌkʌltʃə/, U.S. /ˈpluvəˌkəltʃər/ The art or science of rainmaking; the production and implementation of schemes for inducing rain.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > weather and the atmosphere > weather > study or science of weather > study or science of specific conditions or phenomena > [noun] > study of rainfall > rain-making
pluviculture1925
1925 D. S. Jordan in Science 24 July 81/2 The modern diversions of pluviculture, chiropractics and hormonism are everywhere treated with respect. Of these none can be more scientific than is pluviculture.
1966 Frederick (Maryland) Post 9 Aug. 10/1 Edmond Charles Jeffery, self styled practitioner of pluviculture, studied the clear, sunny sky.., then declared, ‘Yes, sir, it's going to rain.’
1981 Nature 23 Apr. 654/3 Interest in pluviculture is revived whenever a drought occurs.
2001 Advocate (Baton Rouge, Louisiana) (Nexis) 17 Dec. 8 b The science of pluviculture is known as rainmaking.
Derivatives
ˈpluviˌculturist n. [compare earlier culturist n.] a person who can (supposedly) induce rain by scientific means.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > weather and the atmosphere > weather > study or science of weather > study or science of specific conditions or phenomena > [noun] > study of rainfall > rain-making > one who
pluviculturist1925
1925 Syracuse (N.Y.) Herald 9 May 4/3 A pluviculturist..in California is reported to have received $8,000 for producing and delivering a shower of rain.
1925 Science 24 July 82/1 The pluviculturist has next to build a modest shack or to set up a tent for his chemical operations.
2001 S. Silverman Einstein's Refrigerator 49 Charlie [sc. Charles Mallory Hatfield], who has long since passed on, was technically known as a pluviculturist.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2006; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1925