witch

The definition of a witch is a woman thought to be able to cast spells or possess magical powers, or the term connotes evil and can also be used to describe a mean old woman.

(noun)

  1. A witch is a woman who has supernatural powers and practices sorcery.
  2. A witch is a mean, unkind women who people do not like.

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See witch in Webster's New World College Dictionary

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 )

Origin: 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

Related Forms:

See witch in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun
  1. A woman claiming or popularly believed to possess magical powers and practice sorcery.
  2. A believer or follower of Wicca; a Wiccan.
  3. A hag.
  4. A woman considered to be spiteful or overbearing.
  5. Informal A woman or girl considered bewitching.
  6. One particularly skilled or competent at one's craft: “A witch of a writer, [she] is capable of developing an intensity that verges on ferocity” (Peter S. Prescott).
verb witched, witch·ing, witch·es
verb, transitive
  1. To work or cast a spell on; bewitch.
  2. To cause, bring, or effect by witchcraft.
verb, intransitive
To use a divining rod to find underground water or minerals; dowse.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English wicche

Origin: , from Old English wicce, witch

Origin: , and wicca, wizard, sorcerer; see weg- in Indo-European roots

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Related Forms:

  • witchˈer·y (-ə-rē) noun
  • witchˈy adjective

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