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REFERENCE

magic

n. · adj. · v.
US //ˈmædʒɪk// UK //mˈædʒɪk// mag·ic
  1. 1 supernatural power (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    the power to use spirits or secret forces to make impossible things happen.

    the use of rituals or supernatural forces to influence events or manipulate the natural world.

    Example

    In the story, the wizard used magic to turn the prince into a frog.

    Example

    Ancient myths often depict magic as a double-edged sword that requires great sacrifice from those who attempt to master it.
  2. 2 entertainment tricks (n.)
    B1 Intermediate Theatre

    clever tricks that look like magic, performed to entertain people.

    the art of performing illusions and sleight of hand for the purpose of entertainment.

    Example

    The children watched in wonder as the performer did a magic trick with a coin.

    Example

    The magician's assistant played a crucial role in the stage magic, distracting the audience during the most difficult part of the illusion.
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  1. 3 special quality (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    a special or exciting quality that makes something wonderful.

    an enchanting or extraordinary quality that produces remarkable results or emotional impact.

    Example

    There was a certain magic in the air during their first walk through Paris.

    Example

    The director managed to capture the magic of the original novel without relying on expensive special effects.
  2. 4 supernatural or mysterious (adj.)
    B1 Intermediate

    having special powers or used in magic.

    possessing or relating to supernatural powers or mysterious qualities.

    Example

    She found a magic lamp hidden in the back of the dusty shop.

    Example

    The hero had to find a magic sword before he could face the dragon in its lair.
  3. 5 excellent (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Informal British English

    very good or wonderful.

    denoting excellence or high quality; used as a general term of approval.

    Example

    We had a magic time at the concert last night.

    Example

    It would be absolutely magic if we could finish the project ahead of schedule and take Friday off.
  4. 6 unexplained code or values (adj.)
    C1 Advanced Technical Computing

    in computer science, a number or value that works but has no clear explanation.

    referring to a literal value or string in code that lacks context or definition as a constant.

    Example

    The programmer was told to replace the magic numbers with named constants.

    Example

    Hard-coding magic strings into the application makes the software significantly harder to maintain and debug in the long run.

    Usage

    Often used in the phrase 'magic number'.

  5. 7 to make appear suddenly (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Informal

    to make something appear or happen very quickly, as if by magic.

    to produce, move, or change something through seemingly supernatural means or sudden effort.

    Example

    I don't know how she did it, but she magicked up a delicious meal in ten minutes.

    Example

    The accountant seemed to magic away the discrepancies in the budget before the auditors arrived.

    Usage

    Often used with 'up' or 'away'.
Origin

From Middle English magik, magyk, from Old French magique (noun and adjective), from Latin magicus (adjective), magica (noun use of feminine form of magicus), from Ancient Greek μαγικός (magikós, “magical”), from μάγος (mágos, “magus”). Ultimately from Old Iranian, probably derived from Proto-Indo-European *meh₂gʰ- (“to be able to, to help; power, sorcerer”). Displaced native Old English ġealdor (survived in Middle English galder), and dwimmer.

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