magical English · revision 6403

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=1555}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈmæd͡ʒ.ɪ.kəl/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is formed from [[magic]] and [[-al]].^(Etymonline)^(SOED 2002)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Of or relating to magic: 1555 in the OED, the 1550s in Etymonline.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Resembling magic in action or effect, or produced as if by magic, is from 1606, about 1600 in Etymonline.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) Etymonline notes that the difference between magic and magical as adjectives is largely poetic, a matter of rhythm.^(Etymonline) Wonderful or enchanting, as ''a magical evening'', is a modern sense.^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1555 – relating to magic.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1606 – as if by magic.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Relating to or using [[magic]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Wonderful or [[enchanting]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[magically]]

+ * [[hypermagical]]

+ * [[quasi-magical]]

+ * [[semimagical]]

+ * [[unmagical]]

+ * [[magical thinking]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[magic]]

+ * [[magician]]

+ * [[mage]]

+ * [[magus]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}