magic

The word "magic" has a long journey from a specific ethnic and religious title to a broad term for supernatural art. It entered English via Old French 'magique' from Latin 'magice', which itself came from Greek 'magikē', referring to the practices of the Persian Magi priests. The Greeks initially used the term to describe the exotic and awe-inspiring rituals of these foreign wise men, which they viewed as a form of potent sorcery. Over centuries, through Latin and French transmission, the term generalized, shedding its specific ethnic association to denote any art that claims to produce effects beyond natural human power, eventually acquiring its modern metaphorical sense of enchanting quality.

The entire word "magic" is a simplex loanword. It originates from the Latin word 'magice' and the Greek word 'magikē (tekhnē)', meaning the art of the Magi. The Magi were members of a priestly class in ancient Persia, renowned for their wisdom and (as perceived by outsiders) their ability to interpret dreams and influence events through supernatural means.