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What is the difference between magic and elf?

magic | elf |

As nouns the difference between magic and elf

is that magic is allegedly supernatural charm, spell or other method to dominate natural forces while elf is (norse mythology) a luminous spirit presiding over nature and fertility and dwelling in the world of (elfland) compare angel, nymph, fairy.

As a adjective magic

is having supernatural talents, properties or qualities attributed to magic.

As a verb magic

is to cast a magic spell on or at someone or something.

magic

English

Alternative forms

* magick (qualifier) Used as a deliberate archaism; used for supernatural magic, as distinguished from stage magic. * magicke (obsolete) * magique (obsolete)

Noun

(en-noun)
  • The use of rituals or actions, especially based on supernatural or occult knowledge, to manipulate or obtain information about the natural world, especially when seen as falling outside the realm of religion; also the forces allegedly drawn on for such practices.
  • *c. 1489 , (William Caxton), Foure Sonnes of Aymon :
  • *:And whan he shall be arrayed as I telle you / lete hym thenne doo his incantacyons & his magyke as he wyll […].
  • *1781 , (Edward Gibbon), Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire , II.23:
  • *:The arts of magic and divination were strictly prohibited.
  • *1971 , , Religion and the Decline of Magic , Folio Society 2012, p. 23:
  • *:Conversions to the new religion […] have frequently been assisted by the view of converts that they are acquiring not just a means of otherworldly salvation, but a new and more powerful magic .
  • A specific ritual or procedure associated with supernatural magic or with mysticism; a spell.
  • Something producing remarkable results, especially when not fully understood; an enchanting quality; exceptional skill.
  • * {{quote-book, year=1963, author=(Margery Allingham)
  • , title=(The China Governess) , chapter=1 citation , passage=The original family who had begun to build a palace to rival Nonesuch had died out before they had put up little more than the gateway, so that the actual structure which had come down to posterity retained the secret magic of a promise rather than the overpowering splendour of a great architectural achievement.}}
  • A conjuring trick or illusion performed to give the appearance of supernatural phenomena or powers.
  • Synonyms

    * (allegedly supernatural method to dominate natural forces) dwimmer, thaumaturgy, conjuring, sorcery, witchcraft, dweomercraft/dwimmercraft * (illusion performed to give the appearance of magic or the supernatural) sleight of hand, illusionism, legerdemain, dwimmer

    Adjective

    (-)
  • Having supernatural talents, properties or qualities attributed to magic.
  • a magic''' wand; a '''magic dragon
  • Producing extraordinary results, as though through the use of magic; wonderful, amazing.
  • a magic moment
  • Pertaining to conjuring tricks or illusions performed for entertainment etc.
  • a magic''' show; a '''magic trick
  • (colloquial) Great; excellent.
  • — I cleaned up the flat while you were out. — Really? Magic !
  • (physics) Describing the number of nucleons in a particularly stable isotopic nucleus; 2, 8, 20, 28, 50, 82, 126, and 184.
  • Synonyms

    * *

    Verb

    (magick)
  • To produce, transform (something), (as if) by magic.
  • Synonyms

    * (produce magically) conjure up

    Derived terms

    * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

    Anagrams

    *

    elf

    English

    Noun

    (elves) (wikipedia elf)
  • (Norse mythology) A luminous spirit presiding over nature and fertility and dwelling in the world of (Elfland). Compare angel, nymph, fairy.
  • * Shakespeare
  • Every elf , and fairy sprite, / Hop as light as bird from brier.
  • Any from a race of mythical, supernatural beings resembling but seen as distinct from human beings. Usually skilled in magic or spellcrafting; sometimes depicted as clashing with dwarves, especially in modern fantasy literature.
  • (fantasy) Any of the magical, typically forest-guarding races bearing some similarities to the Norse (through Tolkien's Eldar)
  • A very diminutive person; a dwarf.
  • Derived terms

    * elfin * elfinwood * elfish * Elfland * elflock * elven * elvish * light elves * dark elves

    See also

    * fay * fairy * brownie * dwarf * hobbit

    References

    * Marshall Jones Company (1930). Mythology of All Races'' Series, Volume 2 ''Eddic , Great Britain: Marshall Jones Company, 1930, pp. 220-221.