mag·ic /ˈmæʤɪk/
 (a.)神奇的,魔術的,魔術般的,不可思議的魔術,巫術,戲法,魅力


 magic
 *幻


 Mag·ic Mag·ic·al a.
 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; as, a magical spell. 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 Zool., 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.

 ◄ ►


 Mag·ic n.
 1. 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 magic, 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.

 ◄ ►


 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,
          conjuration, illusion, deception]


 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).