magic

English Online Dictionary. What means magic‎? What does magic mean?

English

Alternative forms

• magick (fantasy or occult, otherwise obsolete)
• magicke (obsolete)
• magique (obsolete)

Etymology

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.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈmad͡ʒɪk/
• (US) IPA^(key): /ˈmæd͡ʒɪk/
• Rhymes: -ædʒɪk

Noun

magic (usually uncountable, plural magics)

1. 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. [from 14th c.]

   “My magic will help you find true love,” said the witch as she looked for the right herbs in her collection.

   1. The supernatural forces which are drawn on in such a ritual.
   2. (rare, countable) A specific ritual or procedure associated with such magic; a spell; a magical ability. [from 14th c.]
   3. (gaming, countable) The ability to cast a magic spell.

2. Something producing successful and remarkable results, especially when not fully understood; an enchanting quality; exceptional skill. [from 17th c.]
   1. (computing, slang) Complicated or esoteric code that is not expected to be generally understood.
3. (entertainment) The art or practice of performing conjuring tricks and illusions to give the appearance of supernatural phenomena or powers.
   1. (countable) One such conjuring trick or illusion. [from 19th c.]

Synonyms

• (allegedly supernatural method to dominate natural forces): dwimmer, dweomercraft/dwimmercraft, thaumaturgy, conjuring, sorcery, witchery, witchcraft, wizardry, wizardcraft, warlockry, hexcraft, spellcraft, spellcasting, spellwork, charmwork, wandwork, enchantment
• (illusion performed to give the appearance of magic or the supernatural): sleight of hand, illusionism, legerdemain, dwimmer

Derived terms

• See also magical § Derived terms

Related terms

• magician

Descendants

• → Japanese: マジック (majikku)

Translations

Adjective

magic (not comparable)

1. Having supernatural talents, properties or qualities attributed to magic. [from 14th c.]

   Synonym: magical

2. Producing extraordinary results, as though through the use of magic. [from 17th c.]

   Synonyms: wonderful, amazing

3. Pertaining to conjuring tricks or illusions performed for entertainment etc. [from 19th c.]

   Synonym: magical

4. (colloquial) Great; excellent. [from 20th c.]

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.]
6. (programming) Being a literal number or string value with no meaning or context, not defined as a constant or variable [from 20th c.]

Derived terms

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.]

   Synonyms: conjure up, magic up

Derived terms

• magic up

Translations

Anagrams

• gamic

Occitan

Pronunciation

Adjective

magic m (feminine singular magica, masculine plural magics, feminine plural magicas)

1. magic, magical

Derived terms

• magicament

Related terms

• magia

Romanian

Etymology

Borrowed from French magique. By surface analysis, magie +‎ -ic.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈma.d͡ʒik/

Adjective

magic m or n (feminine singular magică, masculine plural magici, feminine and neuter plural magice)

1. magical

Declension

Further reading

• magic in DEX online—Dicționare ale limbii române (Dictionaries of the Romanian language)