Magic Definition, Prefix, Suffix, Ologies and Isms, Magic Information and Meaning


See also ALCHEMY; DIVINATION; MYSTICISM; SPIRITS and SPIRITUALISM.

abracadabrism
a reliance upon incantations or charms, often inscribed upon amulets, to ward off calamity. —abracadabra, n.
apotropaism
the acting out of magic rites or the recital of incantatory formulas to ward off evil. —apotropaic, adj.
demonomagy
Obsolete. forms of magic that require the invocation or assistance of demons.
illusionist
a conjurer or magician who creates illusions, as by sleight of hand.
jujuism
an African variety of magical fetishism characterized by the wearing of an exotic amulet called a juju. —jujuist, n.
legerdemain
skill in or practice of feats of dexterity that create a magical illusion. —legerdemainist, n.
metamorphosis
1. change in form, structure, appearance, etc.
2. magical transformation. —metamorphic, metamorphous, adj.
obeahism
1. a kind of sorcery practiced by the black people of Africa, the West Indies, and elsewhere. Also called obi, obism.
2. the wearing of an obeah, a fetish or charm. Also called obi.
powwowism
the belief among American Indians that a ceremony characterized by magic, feasting, and dancing can cure disease, ensure the success of a hunt or battle, etc. —powwow, n.
prestidigitation
the art of legerdemain; sleight of hand. —prestidigitator, n. —prestidigitatorial, prestidigitatory, adj.
pretematuralism
a condition of being exceptional or bizarre, beyond the realm of the ordinary course of nature. —preternatural, adj.
sorcery
the art, practices, or spells of a person who is supposed to exercise supernatural powers through the aid of evil spirits; black magic; witchery. —sorcerer, n. —sorcerous, adj.
sortilege
a form of divination involving drawing lots.
supernaturalism
1. the condition or quality of existing outside the known experience of man or caused by forces beyond those of nature.
2. belief in supernatural events or forces. Also supranaturalism. —supernaturalist, n., adj. —supernatural, supernaturalistic, adj.
supranaturalism
supematuralism. —supranaturalist, n., adj. —supranatural, supranaturalistic, adj.
synecdochism
the belief that a part of a person or object can act in place of the whole and thus that anything done to the part will equally affect the whole.
thaumaturgism
the quality of being able to perform magie. —thaumaturgist, n. —thaumaturgic, adj. —thaumaturgy, n.
theurgist
a magician who persuades or compels a supernatural being to do or refrain from doing something. —theurgy, n. —theurgic, theurgical, adj.
voodooism, voudouism
1. the religious rites or practices, including magie or sorcery, of certain West Indian black people.
2. the practice of sorcery. —voodooist, n.
warlockry
Archaic. sorcery; the craft or practice of a warlock.
witchery
witchcraft or sorcery.
wizardry
the art or practice of a wizard; sorcery; magic. —wizard, n., adj.
Zendicism
Middle East. 1. the practice of atheism.
2. the practice of heretical magie, especially with fire. —Zendic, Zendik, n. —Zendaic, adj.