Middle English Dictionary Entry
maǧicien n.
Entry Info
| Forms | maǧicien n. |
| Etymology | OF magiciien |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
One learned in the occult sciences; a magician, sorcerer.
Associated quotations
- (c1375) Chaucer CT.Mk.(Manly-Rickert)B.3397 : This hand, that Balthasar so soore agaste, Wroot Mane, techel, phares, and namoore. In al that land magicien was noon That koude expounde what this lettre mente.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)6.1337 : Riht as he secheth Sorcerie Of hem that ben Magiciens, Riht so of the Naturiens Upon the Sterres from above His weie he secheth unto love.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)7.1298 : Nectanabus..Which was an Astronomien And ek a gret Magicien..undertake hath thilke emprise To Alisandre in his aprise As of Magique natural To knowe.
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.Fkl.(Manly-Rickert)F.1184 : Aurelius..with this magicien forth is he gon Hom to his hous..He shewed hym..Forestes, parkes ful of wilde deer..Tho saugh he knyghtes iustyng..this maister that this magyk wroughte..clapte his handes..And farwel, al oure reuel was ago.
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)3.1673 : A magicien he took to his counsail, And he was holde a ful gret philisophre [F vng magicien cest a dire vng philosophe].
- c1450(c1380) Chaucer HF (Benson-Robinson)1260 : Ther saugh I pleye jugelours, Magiciens, and tregetours, And Phitonesses, charmeresses, Olde wicches, sorceresses.