sorcery

n.
Use of supernatural power over others through the assistance of spirits; witchcraft.

[Middle English sorcerie, from Old French, from sorcier, sorcerer. See sorcerer.]

sorcerous sor'cer·ous adj.
sorcerously sor'cer·ous·ly adv.

noun

The use of supernatural powers to influence or predict events: conjuration, magic, sortilege, thaumaturgy, theurgy, witchcraft, witchery, witching, wizardry. See supernatural.

n

Definition: black magic, witchcraft
Antonyms: reality

---

Term originating in the 14th century. From Middle English sorcerie, and Old French sorcier, derived from the Vulgar Latin sortiarius, traced back to the original Latin, sors, meaning lot, or chance, and sortis, the genitive case meaning of, or by, lots. Indicating the practice of divination by lots. Its practices date back to prehistoric and pre-Columbian religions, as well as those of the Middle East and ancient Egypt; by the Middle Ages it referred to the practice of malevolent magic, or black magic, most commonly the use of supposed supernatural power by the agency of evil spirits called forth by spells by any person with a desire for malice, often motivated out of envy or revenge. Contrasted from witchcraft, referring to the destructive methods that can be used by anyone, rather than by one with the special innate powers attributed to witches. Also connotes the use of special charms, potions, or rituals to cast a particular spell. Practices abounded in certain regions of Africa and Oceania among the tribal peoples into the 21st century.

Sources:

Encyclopedia Brittanica.http://www.brittanica.com/. April 11, 2000.

A cynical view of the world by Ambrose Bierce

n.

The ancient prototype and forerunner of political influence. It was, however, deemed less respectable and sometimes was punished by torture and death. Augustine Nicholas relates that a poor peasant who had been accused of sorcery was put to the torture to compel a confession. After enduring a few gentle agonies the suffering simpleton admitted his guilt, but naively asked his tormentors if it were not possible to be a sorcerer without knowing it.

---

IN BRIEF: Witchcraft.

Sorcery is often written about in scary books and is considered to be evil in most of them.

Dansk (Danish)
n. - trolderi, trolddom

Nederlands (Dutch)
tovenarij

Français (French)
n. - sorcellerie, (fig) magie

Deutsch (German)
n. - Zauberei

Ελληνική (Greek)
n. - βασκανία, μαγγανεία, μαγεία

Italiano (Italian)
stregoneria

Português (Portuguese)
n. - artes mágicas (f pl), bruxaria (f)

Русский (Russian)
колдовство, волшебство, чары, заклинания, колдовские ритуалы

Español (Spanish)
n. - brujería, hechicería

Svenska (Swedish)
n. - trolldom, svartkonst, förtrollning

中文（简体）(Chinese (Simplified))
巫术, 魔法

中文（繁體）(Chinese (Traditional))
n. - 巫術, 魔法

한국어 (Korean)
n. - (악령에 의한) 마법 , 마술 , 요술

日本語 (Japanese)
n. - 魔法, 妖術

العربيه (Arabic)
‏(الاسم) شعوذة, سحر‏

עברית (Hebrew)
n. - ‮כישוף, מעשה-כשפים‬

If you are unable to view some languages clearly, click here.

To select your translation preferences click here.