sorcery
NounWordNet 3.0
Noun (1)
- the belief in magical spells that harness occult forces or evil spirits to produce unnatural effects in the worldSynonyms: black magicblack artnecromancy
Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)
Sorcery \Sor"cer*y\, n.; pl. Sorceries. [OE. sorcerie, OF. sorcerie, fr. OF. & F. sorcier a sorcerer, LL. sortiarius, fr. L. sors, sortis, a lot, decision by lot, fate, destiny. See Sort, n.] Divination by the assistance, or supposed assistance, of evil spirits, or the power of commanding evil spirits; magic; necromancy; witchcraft; enchantment. [1913 Webster]
Adder's wisdom I have learned, To fence my ear against thy sorceries. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
The Devil's Dictionary
SORCERY, n. The ancient prototype and forerunner of political influence. It was, however, deemed less respectable and sometimes was punished by torture and death. Augustine Nicholas relates that a poor peasant who had been accused of sorcery was put to the torture to compel a confession. After enduring a few gentle agonies the suffering simpleton admitted his guilt, but naively asked his tormentors if it were not possible to be a sorcerer without knowing it.