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Webster 1913 Edition


witchcraft

witch′craftˊ

(wĭch′krăft)
,
Noun.
[AS.
wiccecræft
.]
1.
The practices or art of witches.
3.
Power more than natural; irresistible influence.
He hath a
witchcraft

Over the king in ’s tongue.
Shakespeare

Webster 1828 Edition


Witchcraft

WITCHCRAFT

, [witch and craft.]
1.
The practices of witches; sorcery; enchantments; intercourse with the devil.
2.
Power more than natural.
He hath a witchcraft over the king ins tongue.

Definition 2024


witchcraft

witchcraft

English

Noun

witchcraft (usually uncountable, plural witchcrafts)

  1. The practice of witches; magic, sorcery or the use of supernatural powers to influence or predict events.
    • 1387, John Trevisa (transl.), Polychronicon Ranulphi Higden Monachi Cestrensis, chapter XLIV:
      And in þat ilond is sortilege and wicchecraft [transl. superstitiones, atque præstigia] i-vsed. For wommen þere selliþ schipmen wynde, as it were i-closed vnder þre knottes of þrede, so þat þe more wynd he wol haue, he wil vnknette þe mo knottes.
    Wiccans believe in a modernised form of witchcraft.

Translations

See also