magic

The story

1. Proto-Indo-European*megʰ-
2. Proto-Indo-European*megʰ-ú-s
3. Proto-Indo-Iranian*magʰúš
4. Proto-Iranian*magúš
5. Old Persian𐎶𐎦𐏁 (m-gu-š /⁠maguš⁠/)
6. Ancient Greekμάγος (mágos)
7. Ancient Greekμαγικός (magikós)
8. Latinmagicus
9. Latinmagica
10. Old Frenchmagique
11. Middle Englishmagik
12. Englishmagic
13. Proto-Indo-European*megʰ-
14. Proto-Indo-European*megʰ-ú-s
15. Proto-Indo-Iranian*magʰúš
16. Proto-Iranian*magúš
17. Old Persian𐎶𐎦𐏁 (m-gu-š /⁠maguš⁠/)
18. Ancient Greekμάγος (mágos)
19. Ancient Greekμαγικός (magikós)
20. Latinmagicus
21. Old Frenchmagique
22. Middle Englishmagik
23. English todaymagic

From Middle English magik, magyk, from Old French magique (noun and adjective), from Latin magicus (adjective), magica (noun use of feminine form of magicus), from Ancient Greek μαγικός (magikós, “magical”), from μάγος (mágos, “magician, magus”). Ultimately from Old Iranian, probably derived from Proto-Indo-European *meh₂gʰ- (“to be able to, to help; power, sorcerer”). By surface analysis, mage + -ic. Piecewise doublet of magey. Displaced Old English ġealdor (whence Middle English galder) and dwimmer.

Words from the same roots

First known use, by meaning

• from 14th c. The application of rituals or actions, especially those based on occult knowledge, to subdue or manipulate natural or supernatural beings and forces in order to have some benefit from them.
• from 14th c. The supernatural forces which are drawn on in such a ritual.
• from 14th c. A specific ritual or procedure associated with such magic; a spell; a magical ability.
• from 14th c. The ability to cast a magic spell.
• from 17th c. Something producing successful and remarkable results, especially when not fully understood; an enchanting quality; exceptional skill.
• from 17th c. Complicated or esoteric code that is not expected to be generally understood.
• from 19th c. One such conjuring trick or illusion.
• from 14th c. Having supernatural talents, properties or qualities attributed to magic.