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Webster's Dictionary (1865)

2 entries under this word

Magic

Măġ'ic, n.

noun

n. [Lat. magice, Gr. μαγική (sc. τέχνη), from μαγικός, Fr. magie, It. & Sp. magia, from Lat. magia, Gr. μαγεία. See infra and MAGE.] The magical arts; the science or practice of evoking spirits or educing the occult powers of nature, and performing things wonderful by their aid; enchantment; sorcery; necromancy.

Celestial magic, a supposed supernatural power which gave to spirits a kind of dominion over the planets, and to the planets an influence over men.—Natural magic, the art of employing the powers of nature to produce effects apparently supernatural.—Superstitious or geotic magic, the invocation of devils or demons, involving the supposition of some tacit or express agreement between them and human beings.

Synonyms—Sorcery; witchcraft; necromancy; conjuration; enchantment.

An antique magic lantern projector with a projecting lens and an open upper housing.
Magic Lantern.

Măġ'ic or Măġ'ic-al, a.

adjective

a. [Lat. magicus, Gr. μαγικός, from μάγος; Fr. magique, Pr. magic, Sp., Pg., & It. magico. See MAGE.]

Sense 1. Pertaining to the hidden wisdom supposed to be possessed by the Magi; relating to the occult powers of nature, and the producing of effects by their agency; necromantic.

Sense 2. Performed by, or proceeding from, occult and superhuman agencies; done by enchantment or sorcery; hence, also, seemingly requiring more than human power; imposing or startling in performance.

Magic circle, a series of concentric circles containing the numbers 12 to 75 in eight radii, and having somewhat similar properties to the magic square.—Magic lantern. See LANTERN.—Magic square, a series of numbers in a regular progression, so disposed in parallel and equal rows in the form of a square, that each row, taken vertically, horizontally, or diagonally, shall give the same sum, the same product, or an harmonical series, according as the series taken is in arithmetical, geometrical, or harmonical progression.