From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Magic \Mag"ic\, Magical \Mag"ic*al\, a. [L. magicus, Gr. ?, fr.
?: cf. F. magique. See {Magi}.]
1. Pertaining to the hidden wisdom supposed to be possessed
by the Magi; relating to the occult powers of nature, and
the producing of effects by their agency.
[1913 Webster]
2. Performed by, or proceeding from, occult and superhuman
agencies; done by, or seemingly done by, enchantment or
sorcery; as, a magical spell. Hence: Seemingly requiring
more than human power; imposing or startling in
performance; producing effects which seem supernatural or
very extraordinary; having extraordinary properties; as, a
magic lantern; a magic square or circle.
[1913 Webster]
The painter's magic skill. --Cowper.
[1913 Webster]
Note: Although with certain words magic is used more than
magical, -- as, magic circle, magic square, magic wand,
-- we may in general say magic or magical; as, a magic
or magical effect; a magic or magical influence, etc.
But when the adjective is predicative, magical, and not
magic, is used; as, the effect was magical.
[1913 Webster]
{Magic circle}, a series of concentric circles containing the
numbers 12 to 75 in eight radii, and having somewhat
similar properties to the magic square.
{Magic humming bird} (Zool.), a Mexican humming bird ({Iache
magica}), having white downy thing tufts.
{Magic lantern}. See {Lantern}.
{Magic square}, numbers so disposed in parallel and equal
rows in the form of a square, that each row, taken
vertically, horizontally, or diagonally, shall give the
same sum, the same product, or an harmonical series,
according as the numbers taken are in arithmetical,
geometrical, or harmonical progression.
{Magic wand}, a wand used by a magician in performing feats
of magic.
[1913 Webster]
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
magical
adj 1: possessing or using or characteristic of or appropriate
to supernatural powers; "charming incantations"; "magic
signs that protect against adverse influence"; "a magical
spell"; "'tis now the very witching time of night"-
Shakespeare; "wizard wands"; "wizardly powers" [syn:
{charming}, {magic}, {magical}, {sorcerous},
{witching(a)}, {wizard(a)}, {wizardly}]
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