magic 
see mage, Magns. II. a. = F. magiqtie = Sp. 
mdgico = Pg. It. magico, < L. magieus, < Or. 
fiafiis.6^, of magic, orig. and prop. ' of the Magi,' 
< Mayof, pi. Mdym, Magi: see above. Thus, the 
noun is orig. from the adj.; but in Eng. it pre- 
cedes it.] I. n. 1. Any supposed supernatural 
art; especially, the pretended art of control- 
ling the actions of spiritual or superhuman 
beings. Belief in such an art exists among all primi- 
tive races, and was prevalent in medieval Europe. The 
practice of magic has embraced, in a great variety of ways, 
the cure of disease, the forecasting of events, and the grati- 
fication of desires otherwise unattainable. It has been 
everywhere, with the rise and earlier progress of litera- 
ture, formulated into more or less elaborate systems. All 
kinds of divination, judicial astrology, and to a large extent 
alchemy were outgrowths of it. 
But thurgh his magik for a wyke or tweye, 
It seined that alle the rokkes were aweye. 
Chaucer, Franklin's Tale, 1. 567. 
If she in chains of magic were not bound. 
Shak., Othello, i. 2. 65. 
The word magic is still used, as in the ancient world, to 
include a confused mass of beliefs and practices, hardly 
agreeing except in being beyond those ordinary actions of 
cause and effect which men accustomed to their regular- 
ity have come to regard as merely natural. 
Encyc. Brit., XV. 199. 
2. Power or influence similar to that of en- 
chantment: as, the magic of love. 
He [Arnold] has a power of vision as great as Tenny- 
son's, though its magic depends less on the rich tints of 
association, and more on the liquid colours of pure nat- 
ural beauty. Contemporary Rev., XLIX. 528. 
3. Conjuring; tricks of legerdemain. [Colloq.] 
Black magic, magic involving a criminal league with 
evil spirits; the black art. Natural magic, (a) Occult 
science ; the art of working wonders by means of a supe- 
rior knowledge of the powers of nature. 
Much more is professed, but much lease perfourmed, then 
in former ages, especially in the mathematikes and in nat- 
uratt magic. 0. Harvey, Four Letters. 
(6) Control of natural forces through the knowledge of 
their laws. 
Was not Persian Magic a reduction or correspondence 
of the principles and architectures of nature to the rules 
and policy of governments? . . . And here I will make a 
request that I may revise and reintegrate the misapplied 
and abused name of Natural Magic ; which in the true 
sense is but Natural Wisdom or Natural Prudence ; taken 
according to the ancient acception, purged from vanity 
and superstition. Bacon, Advancement of Learning. 
Superstitious or goetic magic consists in the invoca- 
tion of devils or demons, and supposes some tacit or ex- 
press covenant or agreement with them. White magic, 
practice of magic either quite innocent or at least not in- 
volving a compact with the devil. 
II. a. 1. Pertaining to or connected with the 
exercise of magic ; having supposed supernat- 
ural qualities or powers ; enchanting; bewitch- 
ing : as, magic arts or spells ; a magic wand or 
circle ; a magic touch ; magic squares. 
Shall we think the subtle-witted French 
Conjurers and sorcerers, that, afraid of him, 
By magic verses have contrived his end? 
Shak., 1 Hen. VI., i. 1. 27. 
As in Agrippa's magic glass, 
The loved and lost arose to view. 
Whtttier, The Merrimack. 
2. Produced by or resulting from or as if from 
magic; exhibiting the effects of enchantment: 
as, magic music ; magic transformations. [In 
this sense magical is more commonly used.] 
Till all thy magick structures, rear'd so high, 
Were shatter'd into heaps o'er thy false head. 
UUton, Comus, 1. 798. 
3. Operating as if by magic; causing illusion; 
producing wonderful results. 
For three or four days, under the magic influence of his 
wit and imagination, these gloomy old pictures were a 
perpetual source of amusement and fun. 
Lady Holland, Sydney Smith, iv. 
Magic Circle, a modification of the magic square as 
devised by Franklin, consisting of eight concentric circles 
equally divided by eight radii, in the sections of which all 
the numbers from 13 to 75 are so arranged that the sum of 
the numbers in each circle, together with 12 entered at the 
center, is equal to 360, and that the sum of the numbers 
in each radial column, together with the central 12, is 
also equal to 360. As reconstructed by Dr. Barnard, the 
numbers from 1 to 64 are taken, and are so arranged that 
the constant sum of both concentric and radial ranks, 
added to 100 entered at the center, is 360. Magic cube, 
an extension of the arrangement of an arithmetical se- 
ries in a magic square or parallelepipedon to all sides 
of a hexagon, so that the sura of the numbers in each 
lineal rank of numbers, parallel to the edges of the cube 
or the diagonals upon all faces, is constant. In a perfect 
magic cube every term enters into thirteen distinct equali- 
ties. Magic cylinder, a modification of a perfect magic 
cube or parallelepipedon when one of its surfaces is trans- 
ferred to a cylinder having a circumference equal to the 
edge of the cube, and the vertical squares are arranged in 
equidistant radii i such a magic cylinder will have either no 
number at the axis, or the same number in the center of 
every one of the five parallel planes. Magic lantern. 
See lantern, and cut under stereopticun. Magic music 
See music. Magic sphere, a modification of a magic 
cube or parallelepipedon when its surface is transferred 
to a sphere, and the several vertical columns are arranged 
in equidistant radii. Magic square, a square figure 
3572 
formed by a series of numbers in mathematical proportion, 
so disposed in parallel and equal ranks that the sum of 
each row or line taken perpendicularly, horizontally, or 
diagonally is constant. Magic squares are also formed 
8 
24 
36 
35 
44 
27 
11 
16 
13 
14 
46 
25 
38 
33 
5 
22 
An even-numbered magic square 
whose constant sum is 98. 
An odd-numbered magic 
square whose con- 
stant sum is 15. 
with the letters of a word, name, phrase, or sentence, so 
arranged as to read the same in all directions from the 
initial letter, wherever it appears. The earliest known 
writers on the subject were Arabians, among whom these 
squares were used as amulets. 
magical (maj'i-kal), a. [< magic + -7.] Same 
as magic. [The difference between magic and 
magical, as in most other cases of adjectives 
in -ie and -ical, is largely rhythmical.] 
They beheld unveiled the magical shield of your 
Ariosto. Dryden. 
I'll humbly signify what in his name, 
That magical word of war, we have eif ected. 
Shak., A. and C., Hi. 1. 31. 
Laws have no magical, no supernatural virtue; . . .laws 
do not act like Aladdin's lamp or Prince Ahmed's apple. 
Macaulay, Essays, II. 97. 
Egypt and Babylon . . . were the chief sources whence 
the world learnt what may be called the higher branches 
of occult science, and from the historical point of view the 
magical rites and beliefs of other ancient Eastern nations, 
such as Asia Minor and India, are of little importance. 
E. B. Tylor, Encyc. Brit., XV. 201. 
magically (maj'i-kal-i), adv. In a magical man- 
ner; by or as if by magic. 
magician (ma-jish'an), . [< ME. magicien, < 
OF. and F. magicien, < ML. as if *magieianits, 
< niagica, magic : see magic.'] It. One of the 
Magi or priestly caste of ancient Persia. 
It is confessed by all of understanding, that a magician 
(according to the Persian word) is no other than Divinorum 
cultor et interpres, a studious observer and expounder of 
divine things. Raleigh, Hist. World, I. xi. 3. 
Therefore made I a decree to bring in all the wise men 
of Babylon before me. . . . Then came in the magicians, 
the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers. 
Dan. Iv. 7. 
2. One skilled in magic ; a wizard; an enchant- 
er ; a conjurer. 
I have, since I was three year old, conversed with a ma- 
gician, most profound in his art and yet not damnable. 
Shak., As you Like it, v. 2. 68. 
magic-tree (maj'ik-tre), n. A beautiful shrub, 
Cantna buxifolia (natural order Polemoniacea;), 
of Peru, formerly used by the native Indians for 
the decoration of their houses on feast-days. 
magilp (ma-gilp'), n. [Also macgilp, magilj>lt, 
magelp, maguilp, meggelnp, megilpli, megylpli, 
miguilph; said to be from a proper name.] In 
painting, a vehicle made of oil of turpentine and 
pale drying-oil in equal proportions. These in- 
gredients gelatinize, and when mixed with oil colors give 
them a certain body and a pulpy transparency. Magilp 
may be made also of linseed drying-oil and mastic varnish, 
or of simple linseed-oil and sugar of lead, or of boiled oil. 
mastic varnish, and a little sugar of lead. Also spelled 
megilp. 
magilp (ma-gilp'), v. t. To reduce to the con- 
sistency of magilp. 
If it [pure water] is well mixed with the oil colour, it 
megilps it sufficiently to hold the combing until it sets. 
Workshop Receipt!, 1st ser., p 421. 
Magilus (maj'i-lus), n. [NL.] A remarkable 
genus of gastropods of the family Coralliophili- 
dce, inquiline upon cor- 
al. The shells when young 
are regularly spired, but 
grow with the coral into ir- 
regular tubes, the older parts 
of which are left by the mol- 
lusk to become filled in with 
solid deposits of calcareous 
matter. The species is named 
M. antiffiius, and may attain 
a length of 2 or 3 feet. 
Magism (ma'jizm), n. 
[= F. magisme; as Mage, 
Atai/i, + -ism."} The 
body of philosophy or 
doctrines of the Per- 
sian Magi: sameasJ/a- 
gianism. 
Chaldreism and Magism ap- 
pear . . . mixed up together. 
C. O. Mutter, Manual of 
[Archseol. (trans.), 248. 
magister (ma-jis'ter), 
n. [< L. magister, a mas- 
ter, chief, head, supe- 
rior, director, teacher, etc.: hence ult. E. mas- 
tcrl and mister 1 , q. v.] Master ; sir: an appel- 
lation given in the middle ages to persons of 
Magilus antiquus, natur.il 
size. 
magistery 
scientific or literary distinction, equivalent to 
the modern title of doctor. It is still used in Latin 
forms of various degrees. (See below.) In the early church 
it was given as a title to bishops and presbyters, in distinc- 
tion from ministers or members of the lower orders. 
I'm Magister yea, Doctor hight. . . . 
I'm cleverer, true, than those fops of teachers, 
Doctors and Magisters, Scribes and Preachers. 
Goethe, Faust, L 1 (tr. by B. Taylor). 
Artlum Magister, Master of Arts : a degree bestowed Ijy 
universities and colleges, following the degree of Artium 
Baccalaureus or A. B. Also Magister Artium (M. A.). See 
A.M. Magister ceremonial-urn, master of the ceremo- 
nies. Magister Disciplinse, an officer in the Church of 
Spain, about the fifth century, appointed to take charge of 
those children who were dedicated to the church at an 
early age and placed in a bishop's household for instruction 
in morals and in the rules of the church. The officer who 
had supervision of children educated in monasteries bore 
the same title. Magister Sacri Palatii, in the Rom. 
Cath. Ch., the incumbent of an office created early in the 
thirteenth century by Pope Honorius III. for the reli- 
gious instruction of the employees of the popes, cardinals, 
and other Roman Catholic authorities living in Rome. 
The promoter and first holder of the office was St. Domi- 
nic, and later incumbents have been Dominicans. The 
duties and privileges of the office were gradually increased 
until it became one of very considerable importance. 
Among its privileges are that of conferring the degree of 
doctor in theology and philosophy and that of licensing 
books for publication. 
magisteria, . Plural of magisterimn. 
magisterial (maj-is-te'ri-al), a. [< L. magiste- 
rium, the office of a chief, president, master, 
director, teacher, etc. (see magistery), + -?.] 
1 . Of or pertaining to a master ; such as befits a 
master; authoritative; hence, lofty; arrogant; 
imperious ; domineering. 
Those who have fairly and truly examin'd, and are there- 
by got past doubt in all the doctrines they profess and 
govern themselves by, . . . are so few in number, and 
find so little reason to be magisterial in their opinions, 
that nothing insolent and imperious is to be expected 
from them. Locke, Human Understanding, IV. xvi. 4. 
The Squire is there 
In his large arm-chair, 
Leaning hack with a grave magisterial air. 
Barham, Ingoldsby Legends, 1. 172. 
2. Of or belonging to a magistrate or his office ; 
of the rank of a magistrate. 
Acanthe here. 
When magisterial duties from his home 
Her father call'd, had entertaiu'd the guest. 
Glover, Athenaid, xv. 
3. In diem., pertaining to magistery. Magis- 
terial district. See district, 1. =Syn. 1. Authoritative, 
Magisterial, Dogmatic, Arrogant, Domineering, Imperi- 
ous, Dictatorial, Peremptory, official, grand, haughty, 
lordly, oracular. Authoritative is rarely used in a bad 
sense. Magisterial, in the sense of having the manner of 
a master or magistrate, generally indicates the overdoing 
of that manner : as, magisterial pomp and gravity. Dog- 
matic reaches somewhat more deeply into the character ; 
the dogmatic man insists strenuously upon the correct- 
ness of his own opinions, and, being unable to see how 
others can fail to believe with him, dictatorially presses 
upon them his opinions as true without argument, while 
he tends also to blame and overbear those who venture 
to express dissent. (See confident.) Arrogant implies the 
assumption of more than due authority from an overesti- 
mate of one's importance. (See arrogance.) Domineering, 
imperious, and dictatorial apply to the assertion of one's 
own will over those of others in the attempt to rule. Domi- 
neering suggests unfltness or lack of authority to rule, 
with an insulting, hectoring, or bullying manner. Impe- 
rious contains most of the real power of the will, suggest- 
ing a lofty or lordly determination to be obeyed. Dicta- 
torial implies, on the one hand, a disposition to rule, and, 
on the other, a sharp insistence upon having one's orders 
accepted or carried out. Peremptory shuts off discussion : 
&peremptory command or denial is one that must be obeyed 
or accepted to the letter and without debate ; it is posi- 
tive, absolute, and often immediate. 
magisterialityt (maj-is-te-ri-al'i-ti), n. [< ma- 
gisterial + -ity.~\ Magisterial character or ad- 
ministration ; domination. 
When these statutes were first in the state or magisteri- 
alily thereof, they were severely put in practice. 
Fuller, Church Hist., IX. iv. 11. (Davits.) 
magisterially (maj-is-te'ri-al-i), adv. In a 
magisterial manner ; in the manner of a mas- 
ter or a magistrate ; with the air of a master or 
the authority of a magistrate, 
magisterialness (maj-is-te'ri-al-nes), n. The 
character of being magisterial, in any sense of 
that word. 
magisterium (maj-is-te'ri-um), n.; pi. magiste- 
ria (-a,). [L. : see magistery. ~] 1 . In alchc in >/. a 
magistral ; the philosopher's stone. 
This is the day I am to perfect for him 
The magisterium, our great work, the stone. 
B. Jonson, Alchemist, i. 1. 
2. An authoritative statement or doctrine; a 
magistery. 
Great importance is attached to what is called " the 
consensus of theologians" and the "ordinary magiste- 
rium or teaching of the Church." 
Mil-art, Nineteenth Century, XXII. 44. 
magistery (maj'is-te-ri), M.; pi. mitt/ixtrrirx 
(-riz). [Formerly also, erroneously, majestery; 
