Magi
[ mey-jahy ]
/ ˈmeɪ dʒaɪ /
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.
Origin of Magi
see origin at Magus
OTHER WORDS FROM Magi
Ma·gi·an [mey-jee-uh n] /ˈmeɪ dʒi ən/, adjectiveDefinition for magi (2 of 2)
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.
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
British Dictionary definitions for magi (1 of 3)
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 forms of magi
magian (ˈmeɪdʒɪən), adjectiveBritish Dictionary definitions for magi (2 of 3)
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
British Dictionary definitions for magi (3 of 3)
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
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Culture definitions for magi
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.