Magi

[ mey-jahy ]

/ ˈmeɪ dʒaɪ /

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plural noun, singular Ma·gus

[mey-guhs] /ˈmeɪ gəs/

(sometimes lowercase) the wise men, generally assumed to be three in number, who paid homage to the infant Jesus. Matthew 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.

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Origin of Magi

First recorded in 1175–1225; see origin at Magus

OTHER WORDS FROM Magi

Ma·gi·an

[mey-jee-uhn], /ˈmeɪ dʒi ən/, adjective

Words nearby Magi

maggoty, maghemite, Magherafelt, Maghreb, Maghrebi, Magi, magic, magical, magical thinking, magic bullet, magic carpet

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use Magi in a sentence

That’s when many believe the “Magi” or “wise men” or “three kings” arrive to see the newborn baby Jesus.
Here's What History Can Tell Us About the Magi|Olivia B. Waxman|December 29, 2020|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.
Jupiter and Saturn ‘great conjunction’ awes world. Here’s how to see it|rhhackettfortune|December 22, 2020|Fortune
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

According to the Koran, an angel will weigh both men and women in a great balance; this idea, too, is taken from the magi.
A Philosophical Dictionary, Volume 1 (of 10)|Franois-Marie Arouet (AKA Voltaire)
If, then, we regard Zoroaster as being the founder of the Magi, we must throw back his epoch considerably further than this date.
Ancient Faiths And Modern|Thomas Inman
Marcellinus and Peter, representing the Adoration of the Magi.
Child-life in Art|Estelle M. Hurll
He directed the magi to consider the subject, and to give him their opinion.
Xerxes|Jacob Abbott
The Jews had the real fire from heaven, and the Magi pretended to have received theirs from the upper regions likewise.
The Mysteries of All Nations|James Grant

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 forms of magi

magian (ˈmeɪdʒɪən), adjective

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

Cultural definitions for Magi

Magi

[ (may-jeye) ]

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