Magi
[mey-jahy]
- (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.
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Origin of Magi
see origin at Magus
Magus
[mey-guh s]
- (sometimes lowercase) one of the Magi.
- (lowercase) a magician, sorcerer, or astrologer.
- (sometimes lowercase) a Zoroastrian priest.Compare Magi(def 2).
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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. 2018
Examples from the Web for magi
Contemporary Examples
The long journey of the Magi—the Wise Men—in pursuit of a single star.
This book looks at the origins of St. Nicholas, the Magi, and so on.
Historical Examples
On the right was the Virgin Mary, and on the left one of the eastern Magi.
Christmas: Its Origin and AssociationsWilliam Francis Dawson
But in public secular affairs they seem to be recognised as Magi.
Mysticism and its ResultsJohn Delafield
When the magi became organized in Media, they spread in every direction.
Mysticism and its ResultsJohn Delafield
All of the Magi were not thus learned, only those of the higher order.
Mysticism and its ResultsJohn Delafield
The Magi of his time were opposed to his innovations; and they, therefore, were condemned by him.
Mysticism and its ResultsJohn Delafield
magi
- 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
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magus
- a Zoroastrian priest
- an astrologer, sorcerer, or magician of ancient times
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Word Origin
C14: from Latin, from Greek magos, from Old Persian magus magician
Magus
- Simon Magus New Testament a sorcerer who tried to buy spiritual powers from the apostles (Acts 8:9-24)
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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
n.
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.
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Magus
n.
member of the ancient Persian priestly caste, late 14c., singular of magi (q.v.).
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Magi
[(may-jeye)]
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.