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• Magus
  Magus

  noun

  one of the Magi.
• magus
  magus

  noun

  a Zoroastrian priest

Magus

American  

[mey-guhs] / ˈmeɪ gəs /

noun

plural

Magi

1. (sometimes lowercase) one of the Magi.

2. (lowercase) a magician, sorcerer, or astrologer.

3. (sometimes lowercase) a Zoroastrian priest.

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magus ¹ British  

/ ˈmeɪɡəs /

noun

1. a Zoroastrian priest

2. an astrologer, sorcerer, or magician of ancient times

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Magus ² British  

/ ˈmeɪɡəs /

noun

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

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Etymology

Origin of Magus

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

Explanation

A magus is a follower of Zoroastrianism, an ancient religion. You can also use magus to mean "magician" or "wise man." In ancient Persia, a Zoroastrian priest (or a member of that particular caste) was a magus. The word's meaning grew to include practitioners of astrology and magic, but in English its plural form, magi, is most commonly used for the three wise men, or magi, who are described visiting Jesus in the Bible. Magus means "magician" in Latin, and its roots go back to the Old Persian magush, also "magician."

Example Sentences

After spending almost two decades shepherding Magus Books into the 21st century, Weimer and McElroy have undertaken a new project: On Oct.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 20, 2022

Customers looking to sell books can always bring them to the main Magus store on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 20, 2022

When she and her husband Chris Weimer bought Magus in 2004, the shop was already an institution.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 20, 2022

The most earnest, enthusiastic conversations about literature in Seattle happen in the aisles of Magus every day.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 20, 2022

"You'd best take it, sir," said the serving-man dryly; "there's nae wale o' wigs on Magus Moor."

From A New Medley of Memories by Hunter-Blair, David