magic

Magic is defined as the art of using spells, charms and rituals to control supernational forces, or the art of performing tricks and illusions.

(noun)

An example of magic is pulling a rabbit out of a previously empty hat.

The definition of magic is producing mysterious or extraordinary results.

(adjective)

An example of magic used as an adjective is in the phrase "magic potion" which means a potion that works in mysterious, unexplainable ways.

YourDictionary definition and usage example. Copyright © 2013 by LoveToKnow Corp.

See magic in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

    1. the use of spells, charms, and rituals in seeking or pretending to cause or control events or to govern certain natural or supernatural forces; occultism
    2. such spells, charms, etc.
  1. any mysterious, seemingly inexplicable, or extraordinary power or quality: the magic of love
  2. the art or performing skill of producing baffling effects or illusions by sleight of hand, concealed apparatus, etc.

Origin: ME magike < OFr magique < L magice < Gr magikē (technē), magic (art), sorcery < magikos, of the Magi: see Magi

adjective

  1. of, produced by, used in, or using magic
  2. producing extraordinary results, as if by magic or supernatural means

Origin: L magicus < Gr magikos

transitive verb magicked, magicking

  1. to cause, change, make, etc. by or as if by magic
  2. to make disappear by or as if by magic: with away

See magic in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun
  1. The art that purports to control or forecast natural events, effects, or forces by invoking the supernatural.
  2. a. The practice of using charms, spells, or rituals to attempt to produce supernatural effects or control events in nature.
    b. The charms, spells, and rituals so used.
  3. The exercise of sleight of hand or conjuring for entertainment.
  4. A mysterious quality of enchantment: “For me the names of those men breathed the magic of the past” (Max Beerbohm).
adjective
  1. Of, relating to, or invoking the supernatural: “stubborn unlaid ghost/That breaks his magic chains at curfew time” (John Milton).
  2. Possessing distinctive qualities that produce unaccountable or baffling effects.
transitive verb mag·icked, mag·ick·ing, mag·ics
To produce or make by or as if by magic.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English magik

Origin: , from Old French magique

Origin: , from Late Latin magica

Origin: , from Latin magicē

Origin: , from Greek magikē

Origin: , from

Origin: feminine of magikos, of the Magi, magical

Origin: , from magos, magician, magus; see Magus 

.

See magic in Ologies

Magic

See also alchemy; divination; mysticism; spirits and spiritualism.

abracadabrism

a reliance upon incantations or charms, often inscribed upon amulets, to ward off calamity. —abracadabra, n.

apotropaism

the acting out of magic rites or the recital of incantatory formulas to ward off evil. —apotropaic, adj.

demonomagy

Obsolete. forms of magic that require the invocation or assistance of demons.

illusionist

a conjurer or magician who creates illusions, as by sleight of hand.

jujuism

an African variety of magical fetishism characterized by the wearing of an exotic amulet called a juju. —jujuist, n.

legerdemain

skill in or practice of feats of dexterity that create a magical illusion. —legerdemainist, n.

metamorphosis

1. change in form, structure, appearance, etc.

2. magical transformation. —metamorphic, metamorphous, adj.

obeahism

1. a kind of sorcery practiced by the black people of Africa, the West Indies, and elsewhere. Also called obi, obism.

2. the wearing of an obeah, a fetish or charm. Also called obi.

powwowism

the belief among American Indians that a ceremony characterized by magic, feasting, and dancing can cure disease, ensure the success of a hunt or battle, etc. —powwow, n.

prestidigitation

the art of legerdemain; sleight of hand. —prestidigitator, n. —prestidigitatorial, prestidigitatory, adj.

pretematuralism

a condition of being exceptional or bizarre, beyond the realm of the ordinary course of nature. —preternatural, adj.

sorcery

the art, practices, or spells of a person who is supposed to exercise supernatural powers through the aid of evil spirits; black magic; witchery. —sorcerer, n. —sorcerous, adj.

sortilege

a form of divination involving drawing lots.

supernaturalism

1. the condition or quality of existing outside the known experience of man or caused by forces beyond those of nature.

2. belief in supernatural events or forces. Also supranaturalism. —supernaturalist, n., adj. —supernatural, supernaturalistic, adj.

supranaturalism

supematuralism. —supranaturalist, n., adj. —supranatural, supranaturalistic, adj.

synecdochism

the belief that a part of a person or object can act in place of the whole and thus that anything done to the part will equally affect the whole.

thaumaturgism

the quality of being able to perform magie. —thaumaturgist, n. —thaumaturgic, adj. —thaumaturgy, n.

theurgist

a magician who persuades or compels a supernatural being to do or refrain from doing something. —theurgy, n. —theurgic, theurgical, adj.

voodooism

1. the religious rites or practices, including magie or sorcery, of certain West Indian black people.

2. the practice of sorcery. —voodooist, n.

warlockry

Archaic. sorcery; the craft or practice of a warlock.

witchery

witchcraft or sorcery.

wizardry

the art or practice of a wizard; sorcery; magic. —wizard, n., adj.

Zendicism

Middle East. 1. the practice of atheism.

2. the practice of heretical magie, especially with fire. —Zendic, Zendik, n. —Zendaic, adj.

Learn more about magic

magic

link/cite print suggestion box