Vancian magic

noun

A form of magic based on the existence of spells that must be prepared in advance, for specific purposes, and that can be used a finite number of times.

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Meanings

nounVancian magic (uncountable)
  1. uncountableA form of magic based on the existence of spells that must be prepared in advance, for specific purposes, and that can be used a finite number of times.

Origin

From Vance + -ian, after fantasy writer Jack Vance.

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Cite this entry
APA

Vancian magic. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Vancian%20magic

MLA

“Vancian magic.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Vancian%20magic. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “Vancian magic,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Vancian%20magic.

Source: Vancian magic on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.