Magi

[ mey-jahy ]

/ ˈmeɪ dʒaɪ /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR Magi ON THESAURUS.COM

plural noun, singular Ma·gus [mey-guh s] /ˈmeɪ gəs/

(sometimes lowercase) the wise men, generally assumed to be three in number, who paid homage to the infant Jesus. Matt. 2:1–12.Compare Balthazar(def 1), Caspar(def 1), Melchior(def 1).

(sometimes lowercase) the class of Zoroastrian priests in ancient Media and Persia, reputed to possess supernatural powers.

(lowercase) astrologers.

RELATED WORDS

wizard, sage, seer, magician

Origin of Magi

see origin at Magus

Related formsMa·gi·an

[mey-jee-uh n] /ˈmeɪ dʒi ən/, adjective

Magus

[ mey-guh s ]

/ ˈmeɪ gəs /

noun, plural Ma·gi [mey-jahy] /ˈmeɪ dʒaɪ/.

(sometimes lowercase) one of the Magi.

(lowercase) a magician, sorcerer, or astrologer.

(sometimes lowercase) a Zoroastrian priest.Compare Magi(def 2).

Origin of Magus

1615–25; < Latin < Greek mágos < Old Persian maguŝ; compare Avestan moγu

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for magi

The long journey of the Magi—the Wise Men—in pursuit of a single star.
The True Gifts of Christmas Are Life, Love, and the Mystery of God|Joshua DuBois|December 25, 2013|DAILY BEAST
This book looks at the origins of St. Nicholas, the Magi, and so on.
Surprising Christmas History From the Date to Origins of St. Nicholas|The Browser|December 23, 2011|DAILY BEAST
In precisely the same way the Persian feast of the Magophonia was supposed to commemorate a victory over and massacre of the Magi.
Magic and Religion|Andrew Lang
In the "Adoration of the Magi," again, Giovanni shows originality by the double action he has chosen to develop.
Renaissance in Italy Vol. 3|John Addington Symonds

The Magi, from the time of Zoroaster, have deemed it the symbol of purity.
Mysticism and its Results|John Delafield
The heir to the throne repaired to Pasargadae, to receive consecration from the Magi there.
The History of Antiquity|Max Duncker
Maldini, Plate 23, also makes one of the Magi very dark, and adds an earring as a barbaric touch.
The Great Painters' Gospel|Henry Turner Bailey

British Dictionary definitions for magi

magi

/ (ˈmeɪdʒaɪ) /

pl n singular magus (ˈmeɪɡəs)

the Zoroastrian priests of the ancient Medes and Persians

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

Derived Formsmagian (ˈmeɪdʒɪən), adjective

magus

/ (ˈmeɪɡəs) /

noun plural magi (ˈmeɪdʒaɪ)

a Zoroastrian priest

an astrologer, sorcerer, or magician of ancient times

Word Origin for magus

C14: from Latin, from Greek magos, from Old Persian magus magician

Magus

/ (ˈmeɪɡəs) /

noun

Simon Magus New Testament a sorcerer who tried to buy spiritual powers from the apostles (Acts 8:9-24)

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for magi

magi

c.1200, "skilled magicians, astrologers," from Latin magi, plural of magus "magician, learned magician," from Greek magos, a word used for the Persian learned and priestly class as portrayed in the Bible (said by ancient historians to have been originally the name of a Median tribe), from Old Persian magush "magician" (see magic). Related: Magian.

Magus

member of the ancient Persian priestly caste, late 14c., singular of magi (q.v.).

Culture definitions for magi

Magi

[ (may-jeye) ]

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

Magi

plural noun, singular Ma·gus [mey-guh s] /ˈmeɪ gəs/

RELATED CONTENT

RELATED WORDS

Origin of Magi

Magus

noun, plural Ma·gi [mey-jahy] /ˈmeɪ dʒaɪ/.

Origin of Magus

Examples from the Web for magi

magi

pl n singular magus (ˈmeɪɡəs)

magus

noun plural magi (ˈmeɪdʒaɪ)

Word Origin for magus

Magus

noun

magi

Magus

Magi