Hypertext Webster Gateway: "magic"
From Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary (easton)
Magic
The Jews seem early to have consulted the teraphim (q.v.) for
oracular answers (Judg. 18:5, 6; Zech. 10:2). There is a
remarkable illustration of this divining by teraphim in Ezek.
21:19-22. We read also of the divining cup of Joseph (Gen.
44:5). The magicians of Egypt are frequently referred to in the
history of the Exodus. Magic was an inherent part of the ancient
Egyptian religion, and entered largely into their daily life.
All magical arts were distinctly prohibited under penalty of
death in the Mosaic law. The Jews were commanded not to learn
the "abomination" of the people of the Promised Land (Lev.
19:31; Deut. 18:9-14). The history of Saul's consulting the
witch of Endor (1 Sam. 28:3-20) gives no warrant for attributing
supernatural power to magicians. From the first the witch is
here only a bystander. The practice of magic lingered among the
people till after the Captivity, when they gradually abandoned
it.
It is not much referred to in the New Testament. The Magi
mentioned in Matt. 2:1-12 were not magicians in the ordinary
sense of the word. They belonged to a religious caste, the
followers of Zoroaster, the astrologers of the East. Simon, a
magician, was found by Philip at Samaria (Acts 8:9-24); and Paul
and Barnabas encountered Elymas, a Jewish sorcerer, at Paphos
(13:6-12). At Ephesus there was a great destruction of magical
books (Acts 19:18, 19).
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Magic \Mag"ic\, Magical \Mag"ic*al\, a. [L. magicus, Gr. ?, fr.
?: cf. F. magique. See {Magi}.]
1. Pertaining to the hidden wisdom supposed to be possessed
by the Magi; relating to the occult powers of nature, and
the producing of effects by their agency.
2. Performed by, or proceeding from, occult and superhuman
agencies; done by, or seemingly done by, enchantment or
sorcery. Hence: Seemingly requiring more than human power;
imposing or startling in performance; producing effects
which seem supernatural or very extraordinary; having
extraordinary properties; as, a magic lantern; a magic
square or circle.
The painter's magic skill. --Cowper.
Note: Although with certain words magic is used more than
magical, -- as, magic circle, magic square, magic wand,
-- we may in general say magic or magical; as, a magic
or magical effect; a magic or magical influence, etc.
But when the adjective is predicative, magical, and not
magic, is used; as, the effect was magical.
{Magic circle}, a series of concentric circles containing the
numbers 12 to 75 in eight radii, and having somewhat
similar properties to the magic square.
{Magic humming bird} (Zo["o]l.), a Mexican humming bird
({Iache magica}), having white downy thing tufts.
{Magic lantern}. See {Lantern}.
{Magic square}, numbers so disposed in parallel and equal
rows in the form of a square, that each row, taken
vertically, horizontally, or diagonally, shall give the
same sum, the same product, or an harmonical series,
according as the numbers taken are in arithmetical,
geometrical, or harmonical progression.
{Magic wand}, a wand used by a magician in performing feats
of magic.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Magic \Mag"ic\, n. [OE. magique, L. magice, Gr. ? (sc. ?), fr.
?. See {Magic}, a., and {Magi}.]
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.
An appearance made by some magic. --Chaucer.
{Celestial magic}, a supposed supernatural power 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 nature to
produce effects apparently supernatural.
{Superstitious}, or {Geotic}, {magic}, the invocation of
devils or demons, involving the supposition of some tacit
or express agreement between them and human beings.
Syn: Sorcery; witchcraft; necromancy; conjuration;
enchantment.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
magic
adj : possessing or using or characteristic of or appropriate to
supernatural powers; "charming incantations"; "magic
signs that protect against adverse influence"; "a
magical spell"; "'tis now the very witching time of
night"- Shakespeare; "wizard wands"; "wizardly powers"
[syn: {charming}, {magical}, {sorcerous}, {witching(a)},
{wizard(a)}, {wizardly}]
n 1: any art that invokes supernatural powers
2: an illusory feat; considered magical by naive observers
[syn: {magic trick}, {conjuring trick}, {trick}, {legerdemain},
{illusion}, {deception}]
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