magic

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   The power to make impossible things happen by using special words, spells, or rituals.

   In the story, the wizard used magic to turn the prince into a frog.

2. 2
   noun

   Tricks performed to entertain people by making things seem to happen impossibly.

   The children gasped as the man performed magic and pulled a rabbit from his hat.

3. 3
   noun

   A special, wonderful quality that makes something feel exciting or enchanting.

   There is a certain magic in the city when it snows at Christmas.

4. 4
   adj

   Having or using supernatural powers.

   The fairy waved her magic wand and the carriage appeared.

5. 5
   adj

   Wonderful; producing remarkable results as if by magic.

   That was a magic moment when she finally said yes.

Appears in

Simplified etymology

Magic entered English in the late Middle Ages and ultimately comes from the term magus, originally a member of an ancient Persian priestly caste believed to possess unusual powers. The word reached English through Greek and Latin. Its broader use for something remarkable dates from the mid-19th century, and its use as an approving exclamation meaning “excellent” from the 1950s.

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 native Old English ġealdor (survived in Middle English galder), and dwimmer.

Topics

External links

• Google Images
• Cambridge Dictionary
• Wiktionary