magic definition 
magic (maj′ik)
noun
- 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
- such spells, charms, etc.
- any mysterious, seemingly inexplicable, or extraordinary power or quality: the magic of love
- 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
- of, produced by, used in, or using magic
- producing extraordinary results, as if by magic or supernatural means
Origin: L magicus < Gr magikos
mag·ic (măjˈĭk)
noun- The art that purports to control or forecast natural events, effects, or forces by invoking the supernatural.
- 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.
- The exercise of sleight of hand or conjuring for entertainment.
- A mysterious quality of enchantment: “For me the names of those men breathed the magic of the past” (Max Beerbohm).
- Of, relating to, or invoking the supernatural: “stubborn unlaid ghost/That breaks his magic chains at curfew time” (John Milton).
- Possessing distinctive qualities that produce unaccountable or baffling effects.
Origin: Middle English magik, from Old French magique, from Late Latin magica, from Latin magicē, from Greek magikē, from feminine of magikos, of the Magi, magical, from magos, magician, magus; see Magus .
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.
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.
skill in or practice of feats of dexterity that create a magical illusion. —legerdemainist, n.
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.
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.
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.
a form of divination involving drawing lots.
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.
a magician who persuades or compels a supernatural being to do or refrain from doing something. —theurgy, n. —theurgic, theurgical, adj.
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.
witchcraft or sorcery.
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.
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