magic: Meaning and Definition of

mag•ic

Pronunciation: (maj'ik), [key]
— n.
  1. the art of producing illusions as entertainment by the use of sleight of hand, deceptive devices, etc.; legerdemain; conjuring: to pull a rabbit out of a hat by magic.
  2. the art of producing a desired effect or result through the use of incantation or various other techniques that presumably assure human control of supernatural agencies or the forces of nature. Cf.
  3. the use of this art: Magic, it was believed, could drive illness from the body.
  4. the effects produced: the magic of recovery.
  5. power or influence exerted through this art: a wizard of great magic.
  6. any extraordinary or mystical influence, charm, power, etc.: the magic in a great name; the magic of music; the magic of spring.
  7. (cap.) the U.S. code name for information from decrypting machine-enciphered Japanese wireless messages before and during World War II.
—adj.
  1. employed in magic: magic spells; magic dances; magic rites.
  2. mysteriously enchanting; magical: magic beauty.
  3. of, pertaining to, or due to magic.
  4. producing the effects of magic; magical: a magic touch.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
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