witch
witch
UK[wɪtʃ]US[wɪtʃ]
n
A woman thought to have evil magic powers, often depicted as wearing a black cloak and pointed hat and flying on a broomstick.
n
A person who claims or is believed to practice magic or sorcery, especially in a contemporary or non-traditional context.
v
To use magic to put a spell on someone or something.
Etymology
The word 'witch' originates from the Old English 'wicca' (masculine, meaning sorcerer) and 'wicce' (feminine, meaning sorceress). These terms are related to the Old English verb 'wiccian', meaning 'to practice sorcery'. The ultimate origin is uncertain but may be connected to a Germanic root related to prophecy and magic, possibly linked to concepts of awakening or influencing the spiritual realm. Over centuries, the term became strongly gendered, primarily associated with women, and its connotations shifted from a general practitioner of magic to one aligned with malevolent forces, especially during the early modern witch-hunt era.
Analysis
The word 'witch' is a simplex word of Old English origin. It is not productively formed from separable morphemes in modern English.
Examples
The old tale spoke of a witch living in the woods who could turn people into animals.
In some modern pagan traditions, a witch is seen as a healer and a wise woman.
She was accused of trying to witch her neighbors by using a cursed charm.