magic

Everyday

1. In stories, a special power to make impossible things happen, using spells, wands or charms. tree →
2. Tricks that seem impossible, done by a magician using skill and hiding things (illusions). tree →
3. A special, wonderful quality that makes something exciting or delightful (the magic of Christmas). tree →
4. (informal, UK) Great, excellent (That's magic!). tree →
5. Magic words: «please» and «thank you», in children's talk. tree →

In the lessons

In stories and fairy tales, magic drives the plot: wizards, witches, fairies. In real life, «magic tricks» are illusions — the magician uses sleight of hand and misdirection; science explains why our eyes and brains are fooled. In maths, magic squares are grids where every row, column and diagonal adds to the same number. In media literacy: there is no real magic cure or magic pill. Phrases: magic trick, magic wand, as if by magic, the magic words, magic square, work like magic.

Examples

• The wizard used magic to turn the frog into a prince. tree →
• My uncle did a magic trick and pulled a coin from my ear. tree →
• Magic tricks are illusions, not real magic. tree →
• In a magic square, every row adds up to the same number. tree →
• What's the magic word? — Please! tree →
• The cream worked like magic on my sunburn. tree →
• There's no magic pill that makes you clever without studying. tree →
• Spring brings a special kind of magic to the garden. tree →

Note

«Magic» as an adjective: magic carpet, magic trick; «magical» = full of wonder (a magical day). A person who does tricks is a magician. In stories magic is make-believe; adverts that promise «magic» results are usually exaggerating.

In Jewish tradition

In stories and fairy tales, magic drives the plot: wizards, witches, fairies. In real life, «magic tricks» are illusions — the magician uses sleight of hand and misdirection; science explains why our eyes and brains are fooled. In maths, magic squares are grids where every row, column and diagonal adds to the same number. In media literacy: there is no real magic cure or magic pill. Phrases: magic trick, magic wand, as if by magic, the magic words, magic square, work like magic.

Examples

• These unmeaning sounds, they said, have magic power. (Sefer Yetzirah, Kalisch 1877) tree →

Note

«Magic» as an adjective: magic carpet, magic trick; «magical» = full of wonder (a magical day). A person who does tricks is a magician. In stories magic is make-believe; adverts that promise «magic» results are usually exaggerating.