Magi

or ma·gi

[ mey-jahy, maj-ahy ]

plural noun

, singular Ma·gus [mey, -g, uh, s]

1. the Magi, in the Bible, the astrologers who paid homage to the young child Jesus, traditionally assumed to be three in number and to be named Balthazar, Caspar, and Melchior.
2. the class of Zoroastrian priests in ancient Media and Persia, reputed to possess supernatural powers.
3. magi, people who are believed to have expertise in interpreting the assumed influence of the stars, moon, and planets on human affairs; astrologers.

magi

/ ˈmeɪdʒaɪ; ˈmeɪdʒɪən /

plural noun

1. the Zoroastrian priests of the ancient Medes and Persians
2. the three magi
   the wise men from the East who came to do homage to the infant Jesus (Matthew 2:1–12) and traditionally called Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar

Magi

1. The sages who visited Jesus soon after his birth. ( See Wise Men .)

Derived Forms

• magian, adjective

Other Words From

• Ma·gi·an [mey, -jee-, uh, n], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of Magi¹

First recorded in 1175–1225; Magus

Example Sentences

That’s when many believe the “Magi” or “wise men” or “three kings” arrive to see the newborn baby Jesus.

From Time

In the New Testament’s Gospel of Matthew, three wise men, or Magi, are guided to the site of the Nativity by the star.

From Fortune

The long journey of the Magi—the Wise Men—in pursuit of a single star.

From The Daily Beast

This book looks at the origins of St. Nicholas, the Magi, and so on.

From The Daily Beast

According to the Koran, an angel will weigh both men and women in a great balance; this idea, too, is taken from the magi.

From Project Gutenberg

If, then, we regard Zoroaster as being the founder of the Magi, we must throw back his epoch considerably further than this date.

From Project Gutenberg

Marcellinus and Peter, representing the Adoration of the Magi.

From Project Gutenberg

He directed the magi to consider the subject, and to give him their opinion.

From Project Gutenberg

The Jews had the real fire from heaven, and the Magi pretended to have received theirs from the upper regions likewise.

From Project Gutenberg