A comprehensive name for all of the pretended arts which claim to manufacture effects by the assistance of supernatural beings, or departed spirits, or by a mastery of mystery forces in
character attained by a
learn of
occult science, including enchantment, conjuration, witchcraft, sorcery, necromancy, incantation, etc. "An
appearance made by some magic." (Chaucer) Celestial magic, a supposed supernatural strength which gave to spirits a
kind of
dominion over the planets, and to the
planets an
influence over men. Natural magic, the
art of employing the powers of
character to manufacture effects
apparently supernatural. Superstitious, or Geotic, magic, the invocation of devils or demons,
inclusion the supposition of some tacit or
express agreement between them and
human beings.
Synonym: Sorcery, witchcraft, necromancy, conjuration, enchantment.
Origin: OE. Magique, L. Magice, Gr. (sc), fr. See Magic, and Magi.
Source: Websters Vocabulary