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Webster 1913 Edition

Magic

Mag′ic

,
Noun.
[OE.
magique
, L.
magice
, Gr. [GREEK] (sc. [GREEK]), fr. [GREEK]. See
Magic
,
Adj.
, and
Magi
.]
1.
A comprehensive name for all of the pretended arts which claim to produce effects by the assistance of supernatural beings, or departed spirits, or by a mastery of secret forces in nature attained by a study of occult science, including enchantment, conjuration, witchcraft, sorcery, necromancy, incantation, etc.
An appearance made by some
magic
.
Chaucer.
Celestial magic
,
a supposed supernatural power which gave to spirits a kind of dominion over the planets, and to the planets an influence over men.
–
Natural magic
,
the art of employing the powers of nature to produce effects apparently supernatural.
–
Superstitious magic
, or
Geotic magic
,
the invocation of devils or demons, involving the supposition of some tacit or express agreement between them and human beings.
Syn. – Sorcery; witchcraft; necromancy; conjuration; enchantment.

Webster 1828 Edition

Magic

MAG'IC

,
Noun.
[L. magia; Gr. a philosopher among the Persians.]
1.
The art or science of putting into action the power of spirits; or the science of producing wonderful effects by the aid of superhuman beings, or of departed spirits; sorcery; enchantment. [This art or science is now discarded.]
2.
The secret operations of natural causes.
Natural magic, the application of natural causes to passive subjects, by which surprising effects are produced.magic, attributes to spirits a kind of dominion over the planets,and to the planets an influence over men.
Superstitious or geotic magic, consists in the invocation of devils or demons, and supposes some tacit or express agreement between them and human beings.
Magic square, a square figure, formed by a series of numbers in mathematical proportion, so disposed in parallel and equal ranks, as that the sums of each row or line taken perpendicularly, horizontally, or diagonally, are equal.
Magic lantern, a dioptric machine invented by Kircher, which, by means of a map in a dark room, exhibits images of objects in their distinct colors and proportions, with the appearance of life itself.

MAG'IC

Definition 2024

Magic

Magic

See also: magic and màgic

English

Proper noun

Magic

  1. The decrypted Japanese messages produced by US cryptographers in and prior to World War II.

Related terms

  • Ultra (the UK effort to decrypt German messages in WW II)

Anagrams

magic

magic

See also: Magic and màgic

English

Alternative forms

  • magick (fantasy, occult) Used as a deliberate archaism; used for supernatural magic, as distinguished from stage magic.
  • magicke (obsolete)
  • magique (obsolete)

Noun

magic ‎(usually uncountable, plural magics)

  1. The use of rituals or actions, especially based on supernatural or occult knowledge, to manipulate or obtain information about the natural world, especially when seen as falling outside the realm of religion; also the forces allegedly drawn on for such practices. [from 14th c.]
    • c. 1489, William Caxton, Foure Sonnes of Aymon:
      And whan he shall be arrayed as I telle you / lete hym thenne doo his incantacyons & his magyke as he wyll […].
    • 1781, Edward Gibbon, Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, II.23:
      The arts of magic and divination were strictly prohibited.
    • 1971, Keith Thomas, Religion and the Decline of Magic, Folio Society 2012, p. 23:
      Conversions to the new religion […] have frequently been assisted by the view of converts that they are acquiring not just a means of otherworldly salvation, but a new and more powerful magic.
  2. A specific ritual or procedure associated with supernatural magic or with mysticism; a spell. [from 14th c.]
  3. Something producing remarkable results, especially when not fully understood; an enchanting quality; exceptional skill. [from 17th c.]
    • 1963, Margery Allingham, chapter 1, in The China Governess:
      The original family who had begun to build a palace to rival Nonesuch had died out before they had put up little more than the gateway, so that the actual structure which had come down to posterity retained the secret magic of a promise rather than the overpowering splendour of a great architectural achievement.
  4. A conjuring trick or illusion performed to give the appearance of supernatural phenomena or powers. [from 19th c.]
  5. A specific kind of special power or ability.
    Her magic was to control the weather.

Synonyms

Translations

Adjective

magic ‎(not comparable)

  1. Having supernatural talents, properties or qualities attributed to magic. [from 14th c.]
    a magic wand; a magic dragon
  2. Producing extraordinary results, as though through the use of magic; wonderful, amazing. [from 17th c.]
    a magic moment
  3. Pertaining to conjuring tricks or illusions performed for entertainment etc. [from 19th c.]
    a magic show; a magic trick
  4. (colloquial) Great; excellent. [from 20th c.]
    — I cleaned up the flat while you were out. — Really? Magic!
  5. (physics) Describing the number of nucleons in a particularly stable isotopic nucleus; 2, 8, 20, 28, 50, 82, 126, and 184. [from 20th c.]

Synonyms

Translations

Verb

magic ‎(third-person singular simple present magics, present participle magicking, simple past and past participle magicked)

  1. (transitive) To produce, transform (something), (as if) by magic. [from 20th c.]
    • 1993, John Banville, Ghosts
      He pictured them standing about the dim hallway, magicked into immobility, glazed and mute, one with a hand raised, another bending to set down a bag, and Licht before them, nodding and twitching like a marionette, as usual.

Synonyms

Translations

Derived terms

Anagrams

Etymology

From Middle English magik, magike, from Old French magique ‎(noun and adjective), from Latin magicus ‎(adjective), magica ‎(noun use of feminine form of magicus), from Ancient Greek μαγικός ‎(magikós, “magical”), from μάγος ‎(mágos, “magus”). Ultimately from Old Iranian, probably derived from Proto-Indo-European *meh₂gh- ‎(“to be able to, to help; power, sorcerer”). Displaced native Middle English dweomercraft ‎(“magic, magic arts”) (from Old English dwimor ‎(“phantom, illusion”) + cræft ‎(“art”)), Old English galdorcræft ‎(“magic, enchantment”), Old English drȳcræft ‎(“magic, sorcery”).

Pronunciation

  • (UK) IPA(key): /ˈmadʒɪk/
  • (US) IPA(key): /ˈmædʒɪk/
  • Rhymes: -ædʒɪk

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