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Thaumaturgy Magic Meaning Performance Miracles Place December Noun

Thaumaturgy refers to the performance of miracles, especially through magic. It can also describe phenomena that appear miraculous or unexplainable.

Thaumaturgy is the performance of miracles, especially through magic or incantation. It can also refer to things that seem miraculous, like movie illusions or a team's comeback.

Word thaumaturgy
Date December 1, 2016
Type noun
Syllables THAW-muh-ter-jee
Etymology The magic of thaumaturgy is miraculous. The word, from a Greek word meaning "miracle working," is applicable to any performance of miracles, especially by incantation. It can also be used of things that merely seem miraculous and unexplainable, like the thaumaturgy of a motion picture's illusions (aka "movie magic"), or the thaumaturgy at work in an athletic team's "miracle" comeback. In addition to thaumaturgy, we also have thaumaturge and thaumaturgist, both of which mean "a performer of miracles" or "a magician," and the adjective thaumaturgic, meaning "performing miracles" or "of, relating to, or dependent on thaumaturgy."
Examples "The place is still a favourite pilgrimage, but there seems to be some doubt as to which Saint John has chosen it as the scene of his posthumous thaumaturgy; for, according to a local guide-book, it is equally frequented on the feasts of the Baptist and of the Evangelist." — Edith Wharton, Italian Backgrounds, 1905

"Indeed, so keen was the horror at the hysteria that had taken hold in Salem that the mere mention of the place was sufficient to cool any passions that looked in danger of spiraling into outmoded and dangerous thaumaturgy." — Charles C. W. Cooke, National Review, 16 Dec. 2011
Definition : the performance of miracles; specifically : magic

Tags: wordoftheday::noun

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