thaumaturgy

American  

[thaw-muh-tur-jee] / ˈθɔ məˌtɜr dʒi /

noun

1. the working of wonders or miracles; magic.

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Etymology

Origin of thaumaturgy

From the Greek word thaumatourgía, dating back to 1720–30. See thaumato-, -urgy

Explanation

Abracadabra! Thaumaturgy is a fancy way to say magic. If you're interested in thaumaturgy, you might want to apprentice with a renowned magician. While it's most common to use this word to mean "magic" or "mystical powers," thaumaturgy has had a variety of meanings since its appearance in the 18th century. It comes from the Greek roots thaûma ("miracle") and érgon ("work"), and it's frequently used to refer to the scientific principles behind magic or the "magic" of science and mathematics. Other definitions include "the work of Christian saints" and simply "philosophy."

Example Sentences

Even without thaumaturgy a table or a door can make the difference between life and death, even a chair.

From Forbes • Nov. 28, 2012

There is a lot to experiment with in terms of skills, thaumaturgy and just generally a world driven by massive interactivity and hugely dynamic systems rather than rigid, mechanical ones.

From Forbes • Nov. 28, 2012

When you start playing around with thaumaturgy and all the ways you can manipulate things you’re opening up all sorts of gameplay possibilities.

From Forbes • Nov. 28, 2012

Golemetry, cut loose from the traditional constraints of mud, dust or sand, is also a notable branch of thaumaturgy in China Miéville's rebellious, seething New Crobuzon and its environs.

From The Guardian • Aug. 27, 2010

In addition to the evidence of Porphyry, Iamblichus, Eusebius and other authors of the fourth century, some recently published papyri of the same period throw a little light on the late Greek thaumaturgy.

From Cock Lane and Common-Sense by Lang, Andrew