Meaning
The application of rituals or actions, especially those based on occult knowledge, to subdue or manipulate natural or supernatural beings and forces in order to have some benefit from them.
Etymology
Origin: Old English
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *megʰ-der. Proto-Indo-European *megʰ-ú-s Proto-Indo-Iranian *magʰúš Proto-Iranian *magúš Old Persian 𐎶𐎦𐏁 (m-gu-š /maguš/)bor. Ancient Greek μάγος (mágos) Proto-Indo-European *-kos Proto-Hellenic *-kos Ancient Greek -κός (-kós) Ancient Greek -ικός (-ikós) Ancient Greek μαγικός (magikós)bor. Latin magicus Old French magiquebor. Middle English magik English magic From Middle English magik, magyk, 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 Old English ġealdor (whence Middle English galder) and dwimmer.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
NYT Puzzle Appearances
Accepted in 5 recorded puzzles: