Magic
['mædʒɪk]
Definition
(a.) A comprehensive name for all of the pretended arts which claim to produce effects by the assistance of supernatural beings, or departed spirits, or by a mastery of secret forces in nature attained by a study of occult science, including enchantment, conjuration, witchcraft, sorcery, necromancy, incantation, etc.
(a.) Alt. of Magical
Checker: Roy
Synonyms and Synonymous
n. Sorcery, necromancy, enchantment, the black art.
a. Necromantic.
Inputed by Henrietta
Synonyms and Antonyms
SYN:Enchantment, sorcery
Checker: Salvatore
Definition
n. the pretended art of producing marvellous results by the aid of spirits or of the secret forces of nature: enchantment: sorcery.—adjs. Mag′ic -al pertaining to used in or done by magic: causing wonderful or startling results.—adv. Mag′ically.—ns. Magic′ian one skilled in magic: a wizard: an enchanter; Mag′ic-lan′tern (see Lantern).—Magic square a square filled with rows of figures so arranged that the sums of all the rows will be the same perpendicularly or horizontally—as 2 7 6; 9 5 1; 4 3 8 &c.; there are also Magic circles cubes cylinders and spheres similarly arranged.—Black magic the black art magic by means of union with evil spirits; Natural magic the art of working wonders by a superior knowledge of the powers of nature; White magic magic without the aid of the devil.
Checker: Rosalind
Unserious Contents or Definition
To dream of accomplishing any design by magic, indicates pleasant surprises. To see others practising this art, denotes profitable changes to all who have this dream. To dream of seeing a magician, denotes much interesting travel to those concerned in the advancement of higher education, and profitable returns to the mercenary. Magic here should not be confounded with sorcery or spiritism. If the reader so interprets, he may expect the opposite to what is here forecast to follow. True magic is the study of the higher truths of Nature.
Typed by Brandon
Unserious Contents or Definition
n. An art of converting superstition into coin. There are other arts serving the same high purpose but the discreet lexicographer does not name them.
Typed by Bartholdi
Examples
- The box into which the harlequin takes refuge, and which appears to be empty when Pierrot or Cassandra lifts the curtain that shields its entrance, is also a sort of magic cabinet. William K. David. Secrets of Wise Men, Chemists and Great Physicians.
- It is usual to fix the opaque shade, which alternately covers and exposes the two magic lanterns, on to a central pin, so that it may be moved vertically up or down. Frederick C. Bakewell. Great Facts.
- She learned her letters as if by magic, and was very soon able to read plain reading; but the sewing was a more difficult matter. Harriet Beecher Stowe. Uncle Tom's Cabin.
- Some conjurers say that number three is the magic number, and some say number seven. Charles Dickens. Oliver Twist.
- In a fine body there is magic. Hemingway, Ernest. For Whom The Bell Tolls.
- The magicians usually believed more or less in their own magic, the priests in their ceremonies, the chiefs in their right. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- If by some magic every taboo of the commission could be enforced the abolition of sex slavery would not have come one step nearer to reality. Walter Lippmann. A Preface to Politics.
Checked by Douglas