divining rod

noun

a rod, especially a forked stick, commonly of hazel, supposed to be useful in locating underground water, metal deposits, etc.

Also called dowsing rod.

Origin

1745-55

Examples from the web for divining rod

One of the workers then whipped out his divining rod and marked a line between the cities water pressure reducer and the garage.
From the moment she entered the national stage she became a divining rod of public taste.
First, relatedness is the divining rod that separates specific jurisdiction cases from general jurisdiction cases.

British Dictionary definitions for divining rod

noun

a rod, usually a forked hazel twig, said to move or dip when held over ground in which water, metal, etc, is to be found Also called dowsing rod