First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1witch
noun \ˈwich\
: a woman who is thought to have magic powers
: a person who practices magic as part of a religion (such as Wicca)
: a very unpleasant woman
Full Definition of WITCH
1
: one that is credited with usually malignant supernatural powers; especially : a woman practicing usually black witchcraft often with the aid of a devil or familiar : sorceress — compare warlock
2
: an ugly old woman : hag
3
: a charming or alluring girl or woman
4
: a practitioner of Wicca
See witch defined for English-language learners
See witch defined for kids
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Origin of WITCH
Middle English wicche, from Old English wicca, masculine, wizard & wicce, feminine, witch; akin to Middle High German wicken to bewitch, Old English wigle divination, and perhaps to Old High German wīh holy — more at victim
Related to WITCH
- Synonyms
- enchantress, hag, hex, sorceress
Other Occult Terms
2witch
verb
Definition of WITCH
transitive verb
1
: to affect injuriously with witchcraft
2
archaic : to influence or beguile with allure or charm
intransitive verb
: dowse
First Known Use of WITCH
14th century
WITCHY Defined for Kids
witch
noun \ˈwich\
Definition of WITCH for Kids
1
: a person and especially a woman believed to have magic powers
2
: an ugly or mean old woman
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