Ma"ghet (?), n. [Cf. Fl. maghet maid.] (Bot.) A name for daisies and
camomiles of several kinds.
||Ma"gi (?), n. pl. [L., pl. of Magus, Gr. &?;; of Per. origin. Cf.
||Mage, Magic.] A caste of priests, philosophers, and magicians, among
||the ancient Persians; hence, any holy men or sages of the East.
The inspired Magi from the Orient came.
Sandys.
Ma"gi*an (?), a. Of or pertaining to the Magi.
Ma"gi*an, n. One of the Magi, or priests of the Zoroastrian religion in
Persia; an adherent of the Zoroastrian religion. -- Ma"gi*an*ism (#),
n.
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.
{ Mag"ic (?), 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.
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 (Zoöl.), 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*al*ly (?), adv. In a magical manner; by magic, or as if by
magic.
Ma*gi"cian (?), n. [F. magicien. See Magic, n.] One skilled in magic;
one who practices the black art; an enchanter; a necromancer; a
sorcerer or sorceress; a conjurer.
{ Ma*gilp" (?), Ma*gilph" (?), } n. (Paint.) See Megilp.
||Ma*gis"ter (?), n. [L. See Master.] Master; sir; -- a title of the
||Middle Ages, given to a person in authority, or to one having a
||license from a university to teach philosophy and the liberal arts.
Mag`is*te"ri*al (?), a. [L. magisterius magisterial. See Master.] 1. Of
or pertaining to a master or magistrate, or one in authority; having
the manner of a magister; official; commanding; authoritative. Hence:
Overbearing; dictatorial; dogmatic.
When magisterial duties from his home Her father called.
Glover.
We are not magisterial in opinions, nor, dictator-like, obtrude our
notions on any man.
Sir T. Browne.
Pretenses go a great way with men that take fair words and
magisterial looks for current payment.
L'Estrange.
2. (Alchem. & Old Chem.) Pertaining to, produced by, or of the nature
of, magistery. See Magistery, 2.
Syn. -- Authoritative; stately; august; pompous; dignified; lofty;
commanding; imperious; lordly; proud; haughty; domineering; despotic;
dogmatical; arrogant. -- Magisterial, Dogmatical, Arrogant. One who is
magisterial assumes the air of a master toward his pupils; one who is
dogmatical lays down his positions in a tone of authority or dictation;
one who is arrogant in sults others by an undue assumption of
superiority. Those who have long been teachers sometimes acquire,
unconsciously, a manner which borders too much on the magisterial, and
may be unjustly construed as dogmatical, or even arrogant.
Mag`is*te`ri*al"i*ty (?), n. Magisterialness; authoritativeness. [R.]
Fuller.
Mag`is*te"ri*al*ly (?), adv. In a magisterial manner.
Mag`is*te"ri*al*ness, n. The quality or state of being magisterial.
Mag"is*ter*y (?), n. [L. magisterium the office of a chief, president,
director, tutor. See Magistrate.] 1. Mastery; powerful medical
influence; renowned efficacy; a sovereign remedy. [Obs.] Holland.