magia Italian · revision 38764

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1302–1337, Giovanni Campulu|origins=peo maguš}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * /maˈd͡ʒi.a/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''magia''' ''f'' (plural magie)^(Wiktionary)

+ An old form is [[roa-oit|macìa]].^(GDLI|9, 442)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|la-lat|magīa]], from [[grc|μαγεία|tr=mageía|t=the lore of the Persian magi; magic]].^(GRADIT 2003)^(Nocentini 2010)^(Sabatini–Coletti 2026)^(Wiktionary)^(DEI|2314) The Greek noun is derived from [[m|grc|μάγος|tr=mágos|t=magus]], a borrowing of [[peo|maguš]], the Persian name for a priest who interpreted dreams; the Persian word itself has no known etymology.^(DELI 1999)^(Nocentini 2010) Nocentini adds that the Magi were at first a tribe of the Medes, from which the priests came.^(Nocentini 2010) The Oxford Latin Dictionary records the Latin noun.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ DEI notes that the word survives in popular form in the southern dialects and in [[sc|majìa|t=witchcraft]].^(DEI|2314)^(REW 1935)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The TLIO's first record is in the Sicilian of Giovanni Campulu of Messina (1302–1337).^(TLIO) DELI's earliest example is from Francesco da Buti, in the 14th century: “Fu detto mago da magia, ch'è l'arte delle incantazioni” (“he was called a mage from magic, which is the art of spells”).^(DELI 1999)^(GDLI|9, 442) The TLIO gives the senses of the art of using occult forces to produce marvels, and of a single magical act or its effect.^(TLIO)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Gelli called magic “a diabolical and superstitious art”, while Bacon meant by ''magia naturalis'' a science of the hidden forces of nature, opposed to black or demonic magic.^(GDLI|9, 442)^(DEI|2314) The modern language distinguishes ''magia bianca'', used for good ends, from ''magia nera'', which calls on demons.^(GRADIT 2003)^(Devoto–Oli 2026)^(Zingarelli 2010) The figurative sense “power to charm, enchantment” is recorded from 1667.^(DELI 1999) ''Per magia'' or ''come per magia'' means “as if by magic, suddenly”.^(Treccani 2011)^(Gabrielli 2020)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1302–1337 – Giovanni Campulu uses ''magia'' in Sicilian.^(TLIO)

+ * 14th century – Francesco da Buti defines it as the art of spells.^(DELI 1999)

+ * 1363 – Zingarelli's date for the word.^(Zingarelli 2010)

+ * 1667 – The figurative sense “charm” is recorded.^(DELI 1999)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # [[m|en|magic]], the supposed art of controlling natural or supernatural forces by secret means: ''Nel romanzo la strega pratica la magia nera.''^(GRADIT 2003)^(Devoto–Oli 2026)^(Sabatini–Coletti 2026)^(Zingarelli 2010)

+ # A [[m|en|spell]], a charm: ''Dice che qualcuno le ha fatto una magia.''^(GRADIT 2003)^(Devoto–Oli 2026)

+ # A conjuring trick: ''Il prestigiatore ha fatto una magia con le carte.''^(GRADIT 2003)^(Devoto–Oli 2026)

+ # ''(figurative)'' [[m|en|enchantment]], a strong charm or appeal: ''la magia di una notte d'estate''.^(GRADIT 2003)^(Devoto–Oli 2026)^(Sabatini–Coletti 2026)^(Zingarelli 2010)

+ # ''(history)'' The divination and astrology of the Persian magi.^(GRADIT 2003)^(Devoto–Oli 2026)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[mago]]

+ * [[magico]]

+ * [[magio]]

+ * [[la|magia]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ The plural is ''magie''.^(Devoto–Oli 2026)^(Zingarelli 2010)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}