witching

[ wich-ing ]

noun

1. the use or practice of witchcraft.
2. fascination; charm; enchantment.

adjective

1. of, characterized by, or suitable for sorcery or black magic:

   a witching potion.

2. enchanting; fascinating.

witching

/ ˈwɪtʃɪŋ /

adjective

1. relating to or appropriate for witchcraft
2. rare.
   bewitching

noun

1. witchcraft; magic

Derived Forms

• ˈwitchingly, adverb

Other Words From

• witching·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of witching¹

before 1000; Middle English wicching (noun and adj.), Old English wiccung (noun), derivative of wiccian to practice witchcraft. See witch, -ing ¹, -ing ²

Example Sentences

The Witching Hour By Anne Rice No trip into an alternative world would be complete without Anne Rice.

From The Daily Beast

White Is for Witching is not your typical summer release by a major house.

From The Daily Beast

Nine withes of witch hazel, banded together, is used as a rustic appliance to guard against witching influence.

From Project Gutenberg

Night waned upon this talk; and even the witching hour had gone by, before we retired to rest.

From Project Gutenberg

Thomas's play, "The Witching Hour," was then at the height of its great acceptance, and the talk naturally began there.

From Project Gutenberg

Call up thy spirits, And, if they can, now let them from my hand Untwine these witching hairs.

From Project Gutenberg

The witching hour over and I have seen no woodland spirits come to haunt us, and no human beings.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• black magic
• occult
• voodoo