witch

American  

[wich] / wɪtʃ /

noun

1. a person, especially a woman, who professes or is supposed to practice magic or sorcery; a sorceress.

   This novel was about a meek businessman marrying a beautiful witch who uses her magic to help him succeed in business.

2. a woman who is supposed to have evil or wicked magical powers.

   The movie features stereotypical witches in black robes and pointed hats.

3. a person who practices magic as a spiritual observance, especially as associated with neopaganism or Wicca.

   She became a witch after an interest in tarot and astrology led her to classes at a local mystic shop.

4. an ugly or mean old woman; hag.

   She was constantly in conflict with the old witch who used to own the building.

5. a person who uses a divining rod; dowser.

   They hired a water witch to find the best location for the new well.

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verb (used with object)

1. to bring or cause by or as if by witchcraft (often followed by into, to, etc.).

   She witched him into going.

2. Archaic. to affect as if by witchcraft; bewitch; charm.

verb (used without object)

1. to prospect with a divining rod; dowse.

   She witches for water, oil, and minerals, but won't take money for her services.

adjective

1. of, relating to, or designed as protection against witches.

   Bad weather, decreased income, and weak government may have contributed to the witch trial period in Europe.

   A witch bottle contained a number of different objects and ingredients to make up a defensive spell.

witch ¹ British  

/ wɪtʃ /

noun

1. historically, in mythology and fiction, a woman believed to practise magic or sorcery, esp black magic

2. a practitioner of a Nature-based religion founded on ancient beliefs, which honours both a male and female divine principle and includes the practice of magic, esp healing magic, and divination

3. informal an ugly or wicked woman

4. a fascinating or enchanting woman

5. short for water witch

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verb

1. (tr) to cause or change by or as if by witchcraft

2. a less common word for bewitch

witch ² British  

/ wɪtʃ /

noun

1. a flatfish, Pleuronectes (or Glyptocephalus ) cynoglossus, of N Atlantic coastal waters, having a narrow greyish-brown body marked with tiny black spots: family Pleuronectidae (plaice, flounders, etc)

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witch- ³ British  

prefix

1. having pliant branches

   witchweed

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Other Word Forms

• underwitch noun
• witchhood noun
• witchlike adjective

Etymology

Origin of witch

First recorded before 900; Middle English wicche, Old English wicce, feminine of wicca “wizard”; wicked

Example Sentences

HBO on Wednesday revealed the release date and trailer for its new “Harry Potter” series, offering the first glimpse into the new version of Hogwarts, the fictional school for young wizards and witches.

From Los Angeles Times

Set in a Dallas shopping mall, “Forbidden Fruits” revolves around an elite clique of retail employees who run a witches’ coven out of the basement of their boho boutique Free Eden.

From Los Angeles Times

Ward’s opera has a related theme: It is based on the 1953 Arthur Miller play that used the 17th-century Salem witch trials as a metaphor for the McCarthy era.

From The Wall Street Journal

Heading into the Friday trading session we also have a so-called quadruple witching day of options expiring before the close.

From Barron's

Today is a quadruple witching day, when multiple derivatives expire, potentially increasing market volatility and trading volumes.

From Barron's

Related Words

• magician