theurgy

[ thee-ur-jee ]

/ ˈθi ɜr dʒi /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR theurgy ON THESAURUS.COM

noun, plural the·ur·gies.

a system of beneficent magic practiced by the Egyptian Platonists and others.

the working of a divine or supernatural agency in human affairs.

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Nearby words

Origin of theurgy

1560–70; < Late Latin theūrgia < Greek theourgeía magic. See the-, -urgy

Related formsthe·ur·gic, the·ur·gi·cal, adjectivethe·ur·gist, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for theurgy

Theurgy was the second method of counteracting the evil influence of demons.
Superstition in Medicine|Hugo Magnus
Philip appears to have been one of the apostolical men most preccupied with theurgy.
The Apostles|Ernest Renan
The common characteristic of all the New Platonists is a tendency to mysticism, theosophy, and theurgy.
A History of Philosophy in Epitome|Albert Schwegler
Both authors show the same admiration for the Gymnosophists, the same distinction between magic and theurgy.
Essays on the Greek Romances|Elizabeth Hazelton Haight

This current was so strong that philosophy itself was swept toward mysticism and the neo-Platonist school became a theurgy.
The Oriental Religions in Roman Paganism|Franz Cumont

British Dictionary definitions for theurgy

theurgy

/ (ˈθiːˌɜːdʒɪ) /

noun plural -gies

the intervention of a divine or supernatural agency in the affairs of man
the working of miracles by such intervention

beneficent magic as taught and performed by Egyptian Neoplatonists and others

Derived Formstheurgic or theurgical, adjectivetheurgically, adverbtheurgist, noun

Word Origin for theurgy

C16: from Late Latin theūrgia, from Late Greek theourgia the practice of magic, from theo- theo- + -urgia, from ergon work

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