magic
/ˈmædʒɪk/
noun
Origin
Old Persian
maguš — member of the priestly caste (Magi)
Overview
Meaning Now
- The power of apparently influencing the course of events by using mysterious or supernatural forces.
- The art of performing tricks and illusions intended to entertain or mystify an audience.
Language path
Old Persian → Greek → Latin → Old French → English
Earliest form
magik
Earliest period
14th century
Journey
The term originally identified the followers of Zoroastrianism, particularly the priest class known as the Magi. Through Greek contact with the Persian Empire, the term shifted from denoting a specific religious group to encompassing their perceived occult practices and sorcery.
Evolution
- Old Persian
maguš
“Zoroastrian priest”
Refers to the caste of priests in ancient Persia.
- Ancient Greek
mageia
“the art of the Magi”
Used by Greeks to describe the rituals of Persian priests.
- Latin
magica
“magic art”
Borrowed from Greek into Latin.
- Old French
magique
“magic”
Adjectival and nominal use evolved in medieval France.
Connections
Word parts
magic
root
related to the power of the Magi
Related across languages
French
magie
magic
German
Magie
magic
Explore next
Related to magic
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.