thaumaturgy

thaumaturgy

English

WOTD – 21 September 2006

Etymology

From Ancient Greek θαυματουργία (thaumatourgía), from θαῦμα (thaûma, “miracle, wonder”) + ἔργον (érgon, “work”).

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˈθɔːmətɜːdʒi/
• (US) IPA^(key): /ˈθɔməˌtɜɹdʒi/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

Noun

thaumaturgy (countable and uncountable, plural thaumaturgies)

1. The working of miracles.
   • 1898, H. G. Wells, The Man Who Could Work Miracles

     There were astonishing changes. The small hours found Mr. Maydig and Mr. Fotheringay careering across the chilly market square under the still moon, in a sort of ecstasy of thaumaturgy, Mr. Maydig all flap and gesture, Mr. Fotheringay short and bristling, and no longer abashed at his greatness

2. Magic; witchcraft; wizardry.

Related terms

• thaumatology
• thaumaturge
• thaumaturgic
• thaumaturgical
• thaumavore

Translations

the working of miracles

Esperanto: taŭmaturgio French: thaumaturgie (fr) f

Portuguese: taumaturgia f

witchcraft, wizardry

French: sorcellerie (fr) f

Japanese: 奇術 (ja) (kijutsu), 魔術 (ja) (majutsu)

See also

• sorcery
• wizardry