Word journey
The word magic
the art of the magi; influencing events by occult means
The journey
| Form | Language | Date | Sense |
|---|---|---|---|
| *megʰ- | Proto-Indo-European (reconstructed) · Proto-Indo-European Religion | undated | to be able, power; reconstructed, probable |
| maguš | Old Persian · Zoroastrianism | 520 BCE | a magus, member of a priestly caste (Behistun inscription) |
| mágos | Ancient Greek · Ancient Greek Religion | 440 BCE | Persian priest; also sorcerer (Herodotus) |
| magikós | Ancient Greek · Ancient Greek Religion | 400 BCE | of the magi, magical |
| magicus / magica | Latin · Ancient Roman Religion | 50 CE | magical; the magic art |
| magik | Middle English · Christianity | 1375 CE | witchcraft, the occult art (via Old French magique) |
| magus | Middle English · Christianity | 1385 CE | magician (via Old French) |
| majūs | Arabic · Islam | 632 CE | Zoroastrians (Quran 22:17) |
What is certain and what is not
Old Persian magu- was probably borrowed from Median; its further link to PIE *megh- "be able" is only probable. Greeks tied the magi to a legendary Zoroaster as inventor of astrology and magic, which gave the word its modern sense. The route of Arabic majus is not traced in the sources used.