magician vs. sorcerer vs. wizard vs. волшебник/колдун/маг

Дата публикации: Oct 18, 2015 1:17:10 PM

A magician, wizard, witch, or mage is someone who uses or practices magic derived from supernatural or occult sources. Magicians are common figures in works of fantasy, such as fantasy literature and role-playing games, and enjoy a rich history in mythology, legends, fiction, and folklore.

wizard noun BrE /ˈwɪzəd/ ; NAmE /ˈwɪzərd/

I. (in stories) a man with magic powers

There were rumours that Abbot was a wizard, practising magic and the black arts.

II. a person who is especially good at something

witch noun BrE /wɪtʃ/ ; NAmE /wɪtʃ/

I. a woman who is believed to have magic powers, especially to do evil things. In stories, she usually wears a black pointed hat and flies on a broomstick.

II. (disapproving) an ugly unpleasant old woman

sorcerer noun BrE /ˈsɔːsərə(r)/ ; NAmE /ˈsɔːrsərər/

(in stories) a man with magic powers, who is helped by evil spirits

He was suspected of misusing his magical powers as a sorcerer.

sage noun BrE /seɪdʒ/ ; NAmE /seɪdʒ/

I [uncountable] a plant with flat, light green leaves that have a strong smell and are used in cooking as a herb

duck with sage and onion stuffing

II [countable] (formal) a very wise person

The wise old sage nodded.

warlock noun BrE /ˈwɔːlɒk/ ; NAmE /ˈwɔːrlɑːk/

a man who is believed to have magic powers, especially evil ones

magician noun BrE /məˈdʒɪʃn/ ; NAmE /məˈdʒɪʃn/

I (in stories) a person who has magic powers

synonym sorcerer

‘Fly through the air, little mouse!’ cried the magician.

II a person who can do magic tricks

synonym conjuror

They had booked a magician for the children’s party.

conjuror noun (also conjurer) BrE /ˈkʌndʒərə(r)/ ; NAmE /ˈkʌndʒərər/

a person who performs conjuring tricks

It’s a mystery to me how the conjuror made that rabbit appear.

soothsayer noun BrE /ˈsuːθseɪə(r)/ ; NAmE /ˈsuːθseɪər/ (old use)

a person who is believed to be able to tell what will happen in the future

oracle noun BrE /ˈɒrəkl/ ; NAmE /ˈɔːrəkl/ [countable]

I (in ancient Greece) a place where people could go to ask the gods for advice or information about the future; the priest or priestess through whom the gods were thought to give their message

They consulted the oracle at Delphi.

See related entries: Religious places

II (in ancient Greece) the advice or information that the gods gave, which often had a hidden meaning

III [usually singular] a person or book that gives valuable advice or information

My sister's the oracle on investment matters.