witchcraft
the art or practices of a witch; sorcery or magical influence; magic, especially for evil purposes: She was arrested on the charge of witchcraft in September of 1665.Some people believe the disease is caused by witchcraft or a curse.
the modern practice of magic as a spiritual observance, especially as associated with neopaganism or Wicca: The presence of witchcraft has increased greatly on college campuses in the last ten years.
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Origin of witchcraft
1synonym study For witchcraft
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Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use witchcraft in a sentence
Check out the Technically Fiction series for the science on how to make witchcraft real and build a dragon.
Let’s learn about the creatures of Halloween | Maria Temming | October 26, 2021 | Science News For StudentsBeyond that, though, the coverage of the virus has mostly been partisanship and witchcraft.
Comparing the red-state pandemic response now to blue states in early 2020 is dishonest | Philip Bump | August 31, 2021 | Washington PostGhostly, superimposed figures dance in circles in Lauren Woods’s piece, and dabble in what Alexander D’Agostino terms “witchcraft” in his.
In the galleries: A focus on the intersection of art and movement | Mark Jenkins | February 26, 2021 | Washington PostI graduated from the University of Chicago with a degree in medieval studies, with a thesis on the late medieval witchcraft trials.
O’Donnell told Bill Maher “I dabbled in witchcraft,” which spurred her to run a campaign ad announcing “I am not a witch,” which was parodied on “Saturday Night Live.”
Lovely, little Delaware — long famous for corporations, chickens and credit cards — is ready for its big moment | Karen Heller | January 12, 2021 | Washington Post
Being pro-life is all fun and games until you realize the movement would sooner endorse witchcraft over science, apparently.
Other uteri, tainted by low, regular doses of progesterone and/or witchcraft, become evil.
An accusation of witchcraft is vague enough to serve as a kind of catchall for discontent.
Will Saudi Arabia Execute Guest Workers for 'Witchcraft'? | Michael Schulson | March 29, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTIndonesian guest workers are on trial in Saudi Arabia for “witchcraft.”
Will Saudi Arabia Execute Guest Workers for 'Witchcraft'? | Michael Schulson | March 29, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTIn 2011, a special witchcraft-busting unit reported that it had handled nearly 600 claims in the preceding few years.
Will Saudi Arabia Execute Guest Workers for 'Witchcraft'? | Michael Schulson | March 29, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThey used to believe in witchcraft, and they burned millions—yes, millions—of innocent women as witches.
God and my Neighbour | Robert BlatchfordMany other of the famous inquirers in those years which ushered in modern science believed in witchcraft.
Outlines of the Earth's History | Nathaniel Southgate ShalerWesley said if we gave up belief in witchcraft we must give up belief in the Bible.
God and my Neighbour | Robert BlatchfordEnglish act of parliament against witchcraft, passed in the reign of James I, repealed.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology | Joel MunsellThey believe in the transmigration of the soul into other men and into animals, and in demons, witchcraft and magic.
The Wonder Book of Knowledge | Various
British Dictionary definitions for witchcraft
/ (ˈwɪtʃˌkrɑːft) /
the art or power of bringing magical or preternatural power to bear or the act or practice of attempting to do so
the influence of magic or sorcery
fascinating or bewitching influence or charm
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Cultural definitions for witchcraft
Notes for witchcraft
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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