witch Hear it!

witch Definition

witch (wic̸h)

noun

  1. a person, esp. a woman, having supernatural power as by a compact with the devil or evil spirits; sorceress
  2. an ugly and ill-tempered old woman; hag; crone
  3. a practitioner or follower of white magic or of Wicca
  4. Informal a bewitching or fascinating woman or girl
  5. water witch (sense )

Etymology: ME wicche < OE wicce, fem. of wicca, sorcerer, akin to MDu wicken, to use magic < IE base *weik-, to separate (hence set aside for religious worship) > Goth weihs, holy, OE wig, idol

transitive verb

  1. to put a magic spell on; bewitch
  2. Archaic to charm; fascinate

intransitive verb

dowse

witch Related Forms

witch·like′ adjective witchy adjective witch·i·er, witch·i·est

witch Synonyms

witch

n.

witch Usage Examples

Possessives

  • broom: A witch's broom can also be used for sweeping the floor to expose a trapdoor.
  • coven: And Roman, head of the witch's coven, replies proudly, He has his father's eyes.
  • caldron: On arriving in the swim we were confronted by a witch's caldron - they were going mad.
  • Sabbath: Faust turns back to the crazy primitive world of the witches ' sabbath and to a chimerical vision of classical antiquity.
  • brew: Some say the famous witches ' brew from Macbeth is more likely made of various herbs than of animal parts.
  • prophesy: Then Macbeth's court exits, leaving him alone to mainly think about the witches ' prophecies for Banquo.

Preposition: of

oz: Posted by witch of oz on 25 April, 2006 at 11:01 AM Well said.

Converse of object

burn: We've got a definite date for Wednesday at a new Goth club where you see them burn the witches.

Adjective modifier

  • wicked: They discuss why Megan is the " wicked witch of the West " .
  • cunning: Oh comfrey the comforting, you cunning witch, how I adore you!
  • evil: There they find a magic wardrobe, which leads to a mystical land called Narnia, which is being ruled by an evil witch.
  • alleged: On March 31, 1656, the trial of two of the alleged witches was held in the Commonhall of Pleas, Chester.
  • suspected: The Newcastle bellman invited people to report suspected witches.
  • solitary: I practice as a solitary witch, tho I have the greatest respect for covens and formal magical practitioners.

Modifies a noun

  • hazel: Witch hazel already contains the alcohol needed to disperse the essential oils.
  • hunt: Despite all this, the witch hunt had little effect.
  • broom: A shepherds crook and the handles of witches brooms were traditionally made of Ash.
  • craze: Material is acquired extensively on the history and sociology of witch crazes in English, French and German, and more selectively in Spanish.
  • hunter: From jealous rivals, to witch hunters or insane elders; the night is fraught with peril even for the undead.
  • hysteria: James I, who believed the witch hysteria, wrote a book called ' Demonology ' about the supposed hidden world of wicked witches.

Browse dictionary entries near witch

  1. witan
  2. wit
  3. wistful
  4. wisteria
  5. Wister
  6. wist
  7. wisp
  8. Wisła
  9. wishy-washy
  10. wishing
  1. witch doctor
  2. witch elm
  3. witch grass
  4. witch hazel
  5. witch hunt
  6. witch moth
  7. witchcraft
  8. witchery
  9. witches'-broom
  10. witches' Sabbath