wizard English · revision 14933

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=probably before 1425}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /ˈwɪz.əd/, US /ˈwɪz.ɚd/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|wysard|t=wise man, sage]], formed from [[m|enm|wys|t=wise]] (see [[wise]]) and [[-ard]].^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986)^(MWU 2024)^(NODE 1998) Etymonline compares [[lt|žynys|t=sorcerer]] and [[m|lt|žynė|t=witch]], from [[m|lt|žinoti|t=to know]], the underlying sense perhaps being to know the future.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A philosopher or sage, often with a hint of contempt or evil use: probably before 1425, in the Promptorium Parvulorum, in Barnhart; about 1440 in the OED.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The sense of one with magic powers did not appear clearly until about 1550,^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) since philosophy and magic were hardly told apart in the Middle Ages.^(Etymonline) Trench notes that the word once carried no dishonour, as when Cheke called the Magi of Matthew “wisards” and Milton wrote of the “star-led wizards”.^(Trench 1859) The spelling with z is from 1579, and wizard itself from 1601, in Ben Jonson's Poetaster.^(Barnhart 1988) A man who does wonders in his profession is from 1620,^(OED 1989) and the slang adjective, excellent, from 1922.^(Etymonline) Wizardry is from 1583.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * probably before 1425 – a sage.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * c. 1550 – a sorcerer.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)

+ * 1579 – wizard (adjective).^(OED 1989)^(MWU 2024)

+ * 1583 – wizardry.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1620 – a wonder-worker.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1922 – excellent (slang).^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A man who practises magic; a [[sorcerer]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A person who is outstandingly skilled in some field; an expert.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(computing)'' A program that guides a user through a complex task.^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(obsolete)'' A wise man; a sage.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Adjective===

+ # ''(informal, chiefly British)'' Excellent; superb.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Of or relating to wizards or [[wizardry]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[wizardlike]]

+ * [[wizardly]]

+ * [[wizardry]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[wise]]

+ * [[witch]]

+ * [[wisdom]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}