mind reading

the ability to discern the thoughts of others without the normal means of communication, especially by means of a preternatural power.

an act or the practice of so discerning the thoughts of another.

Also called thought reading.

Origin of mind reading

First recorded in 1880–85

For most unthinking people, mind-reading leads in this fashion over to the whole world of mysticism.

Psychology and Social Sanity |Hugo Mnsterberg
Mrs. Spaulding at that precise moment sincerely wished that she possessed the psychic power of mind-reading.

The Silver Poppy |Arthur Stringer
She said something about mind-reading, mental telepathy and all that.

The Crystal Ball |Roy J. Snell
And so she could in spirit, for her perceptions amounted almost to mind-reading.

Joyce's Investments |Fannie E. Newberry

There was nothing secret about the Megabuck network, except that he and Barby would use it for a mind-reading act.

The Electronic Mind Reader |John Blaine