magic

Alternative forms

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

Etymology

From Middle English 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 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/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

• Rhymes: -ædʒɪk

Noun

magic (usually uncountable, plural magics)

1. The use of rituals or actions, especially based on occult knowledge, to subdue or manipulate natural or supernatural beings and forces in order to have some benefit from them [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 such magic; a spell. [from 14th c.]
3. The supernatural forces which are drawn on in such a ritual
4. 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.

5. A conjuring trick or illusion performed to give the appearance of supernatural phenomena or powers. [from 19th c.]
6. A specific kind of special power or ability.

   Her magic was to control the weather.

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.]

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.

Derived terms

Anagrams

• gamic