释义 |
magic /ˈmadʒɪk /noun [mass noun]1The power of apparently influencing events by using mysterious or supernatural forces: suddenly, as if by magic, the doors start to open...- What makes people believe in magic, the supernatural and psychic powers?
- Explanations that involve supernatural forces or magic are also fine in a fantasy world.
- Though surprised, the villagers accepted his story because they believed that the power of voodoo magic made such things possible.
Synonyms sorcery, witchcraft, wizardry, necromancy, enchantment, spellworking, incantation, the supernatural, occultism, the occult, black magic, the black arts, devilry, divination, malediction, voodoo, hoodoo, sympathetic magic, white magic, witching, witchery; charm, hex, spell, jinx; North American mojo, orenda; New Zealand makutu South African informal muti rare sortilege, thaumaturgy, theurgy 1.1Mysterious tricks, such as making things disappear and reappear, performed as entertainment: [as modifier]: his parents bought him a magic set for Christmas...- There are some who can perform magic tricks while others cannot even shuffle a deck of cards.
- Each school will be treated to an hour of magic, illusion and entertainment with lots of jokes, surprises and audience participation.
- She's promised to teach me some magic tricks later.
Synonyms conjuring tricks, sleight of hand, legerdemain, illusion, prestidigitation, deception, trickery, juggling informal jiggery-pokery 1.2A quality of being beautiful and delightful in a way that seems remote from daily life: the magic of the theatre...- The second half was magic, beautiful, brilliant, particularly when in the 22nd or 23rd minute of the half Peter Withe scored.
- This show appeals to all ages with its exciting, fast-paced story, fantastic images and beautiful puppet magic.
- It is being staged by Ian Judge, a director who does not always find depth in a work but is guaranteed to bring a quality of pleasing theatrical magic.
Synonyms allure, allurement, attraction, excitement, enchantment, entrancement, fascination, charm, glamour, magnetism, enticement 1.3 informal Exceptional skill or talent: he’s been working his magic on New Zealand movies for the past two decades...- Top stylist Claire-Louise worked her magic with skill, styling Helen's hair to suit her new, slimmer face shape.
- Johnny has performed his magic on several recordings and for the past 18 years has held the most secure job of anyone on this album, - he works as the doorman for the Toronto Hilton Hotel.
- In 2003, Cutkosky performed his magic again on a problem that originated about 100 years ago.
Synonyms skill, skilfulness, brilliance, ability, accomplishment, adeptness, competence, adroitness, deftness, dexterity, aptitude, expertise, expertness, art, finesse, experience, professionalism, talent, cleverness, smartness adjective1Having or apparently having supernatural powers: a magic wand...- The eye-catching clusters of life-size Winnie the Pooh bears seem to have a magic power that locks your gaze onto them.
- From thence he made his way to Egypt - there, if possible, to learn the art of working wonders by magic spells.
- During the trial, Roulet testified that his lycanthropic ability was the result of a magic salve in his possession.
Synonyms supernatural, enchanted, occult, Druidical rare necromantic, thaumaturgic, thaumaturgical, sorcerous 1.1 [attributive] Very effective in producing the desired results: confidence is the magic ingredient needed to spark recovery...- Closer, the celebrity women's weekly from the team behind Heat, seems to have found the magic circulation formula that has eluded more traditional women's titles.
- The coaches agree that it's going to take the players some time to adapt to new teams and new set-ups - they've got a lot of new players and they've just not found the magic formula yet.
- ‘I think I've discovered the magic formula’ said Japan's French coach Philippe Troussier.
2British informal Wonderful; exciting: it was a great time, magic...- The purpose of this book is simple: to help people make the most of their own magic moments with orchids.
- Expect a fancy dress competition, choral warm-up and ‘crazy magic moments with the help of your free fun-filled goody bag’.
- They had not been warned that it was a busman's holiday and that they were going to be sharing their magic moment with an ever-shifting, never-thinning crowd.
Synonyms fascinating, captivating, charming, glamorous, magical, enchanting, entrancing, spellbinding, magnetic, irresistible, hypnotic verb (magics, magicking, magicked) [with object and adverbial]Move, change, or create by or as if by magic: he must have been magicked out of the car at the precise second it exploded...- The report simply says that an alternative route will need to be found for buses but it is far from evident how any such alternative route can be magicked up.
- Four more veggie meals were magicked out of thin air.
- Whole posts can be magicked away by a couple of ill-considered key presses - without even taking your hand off the keyboard.
Phrases Origin Late Middle English: from Old French magique, from Latin magicus (adjective), late Latin magica (noun), from Greek magikē (tekhnē) '(art of) a magus': magi were regarded as magicians. The Magi were the ‘wise men’ from the East who visited the infant Jesus soon after his birth. They were said to have been kings, called Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar, who brought gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. The singular form is magus, and it was originally a term for a member of a priestly caste of ancient Persia regarded as having unusual powers, and the word, filtered through Greek and Latin, is the origin of our magic and magician (Late Middle English). Magic has been used for something remarkable, as in the expression a magic touch, since the mid 19th century and as an exclamation of approval meaning ‘excellent’ since the 1950s.
Rhymes bathypelagic, tragic |