magic English · revision 3327

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=c. 1380|origins=peo maguš}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈmædʒ.ɪk/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|magik]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024) [[bor|fro|magique]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) from [[la-lat|magicē|t=sorcery, magic]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) from [[grc|μαγική|tr=magikḗ]], probably with the word for “art” understood,^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) the feminine of [[m|grc|μαγικός|tr=magikós|t=magical]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) from [[m|grc|μάγος|tr=mágos|t=a member of a priestly caste]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) from [[peo|maguš]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) which Etymonline thinks possibly from [[ine-pro|*magh-|t=to be able, have power]].^(Etymonline) The adjective is from Latin magicus.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) See [[magus]].^(Cresswell 2021)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The art of influencing or predicting events by hidden or supernatural forces: about 1380, in Chaucer's ''House of Fame'',^(Barnhart 1988) the late 14th century in Etymonline,^(Etymonline) and about 1386 in the OED.^(OED 1989) The adjective is from before 1393, in Gower.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The magi were a learned priestly caste of ancient Persia, said by ancient historians to have been originally a Median tribe,^(Barnhart 1988) and were thought to have unusual powers.^(Cresswell 2021) The word displaced Old English wiccecræft “witchcraft” and drycræft, from dry “magician”.^(Etymonline) ''Black magic'' is from about 1384,^(OED 1989) and ''natural magic'' from the 1570s.^(Etymonline) A secret, overmastering influence like magic is from 1611,^(OED 1989) and the art of conjuring tricks and illusion from 1811 in Etymonline^(Etymonline) and 1831 in the OED.^(OED 1989) The ''magic lantern'' is from the 1690s, from Modern Latin laterna magica,^(Etymonline) and the ''magic carpet'' by 1816.^(Etymonline) ''Like magic'' is from 1857.^(OED 1989) Something remarkable, as in ''a magic touch'', is from the mid-19th century, and ''magic!'' as an exclamation meaning “excellent” from the 1950s.^(Cresswell 2021) The verb is from 1864 in Etymonline^(Etymonline) and 1906 in Merriam-Webster.^(MWU 2024) ''Magician'' is from about 1375.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1375 – ''magician''.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * c. 1380 – the art of magic.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * c. 1384 – ''black magic''.^(OED 1989)

+ * before 1393 – adjective.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1611 – an influence like magic.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1690s – ''magic lantern''.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1811 – conjuring tricks.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1864 – verb.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1950s – “excellent!”.^(Cresswell 2021)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # The supposed art of controlling events or natural forces by invoking the [[supernatural]]; spells and [[charm|alt=charms]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # The art of performing tricks and [[illusion|alt=illusions]] for entertainment; [[conjuring]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # A mysterious quality of enchantment: ''the magic of the theatre''.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Of or used in magic.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # Having remarkable or baffling effects.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # ''(British informal)'' Excellent.^(Cresswell 2021)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To produce or remove as if by magic.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[magical]]

+ * [[magically]]

+ * [[magic bullet]]

+ * [[magic lantern]]

+ * [[magic marker]]

+ * [[magic mushroom]]

+ * [[magic number]]

+ * [[magic realism]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[magician]]

+ * [[magus]]

+ * [[magi]]

+ * [[might]]

+ * [[machine]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}