Psychic vs. Magic

A person who possesses, or appears to possess, extra-sensory abilities such as precognition, clairvoyance and telepathy, or who appears to be susceptible to paranormal or supernatural influence.

A person who supposedly contacts the dead; a medium.

(gnosticism) In gnostic theologian Valentinus' triadic grouping of man the second type; a person focused on intellectual reality (the other two being hylic and pneumatic).

Relating to or having the abilities of a psychic.

Example: ‘You must be psychic - I was just about to say that.’; ‘She is a psychic person - she hears messages from beyond.’;

Relating to the psyche or mind, or to mental activity in general.

Of or pertaining to the human soul, or to the living principle in man.

Of or pertaining to the mind, or its functions and diseases; mental; - contrasted with physical.

a person apparently sensitive to things beyond the natural range of perception

pertaining to forces or mental processes outside the possibilities defined by natural or scientific laws;

Example: ‘psychic reader’; ‘psychical research’;

affecting or influenced by the human mind;

Example: ‘psychic energy’; ‘psychic trauma’;

outside the sphere of physical science;

Example: ‘psychic phenomena’;

A psychic is a person who claims to use extrasensory perception (ESP) to identify information hidden from the normal senses, particularly involving telepathy or clairvoyance, or who performs acts that are apparently inexplicable by natural laws, such as psychokinesis or apportation. Although many people believe in psychic abilities, the scientific consensus is that there is no proof of the existence of such powers, and describes the practice as pseudoscience.

The application of rituals or actions, especially those based on occult knowledge, to subdue or manipulate natural or supernatural beings and forces in order to have some benefit from them

A specific ritual or procedure associated with such magic; a spell.

The supernatural forces which are drawn on in such a ritual

Something producing successful and remarkable results, especially when not fully understood; an enchanting quality; exceptional skill.

A conjuring trick or illusion performed to give the appearance of supernatural phenomena or powers.

Complicated or esoteric code that is not expected to be generally understood.

Having supernatural talents, properties or qualities attributed to magic.

Example: ‘a magic wand; a magic dragon’;

Producing extraordinary results, as though through the use of magic; wonderful, amazing.

Example: ‘a magic moment’;

Pertaining to conjuring tricks or illusions performed for entertainment etc.

Example: ‘a magic show; a magic trick’;

(colloquial) Great; excellent.

Example: ‘— I cleaned up the flat while you were out. — Really? Magic!’;

(physics) Describing the number of nucleons in a particularly stable isotopic nucleus; 2, 8, 20, 28, 50, 82, 126, and 184.

(programming) Being a literal number or string value with no meaning or context, not defined as a constant or variable

Example: ‘The code is full of magic numbers and we can't figure out what they mean.’;

(transitive) To produce, transform (something), (as if) by magic.

A comprehensive name for all of the pretended arts which claim to produce effects by the assistance of supernatural beings, or departed spirits, or by a mastery of secret forces in nature attained by a study of occult science, including enchantment, conjuration, witchcraft, sorcery, necromancy, incantation, etc.

Example: ‘An appearance made by some magic.’;

The art of creating illusions which appear to the observer to be inexplicable except by some supernatural influence; it includes simple sleight of hand (legerdemain) as well as more elaborate stage magic, using special devices constructed to produce mystifying effects; as, the magic of David Copperfield. It is practised as an entertainment, by magicians who do not pretend to have supernatural powers.

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.

Performed by, or proceeding from, occult and superhuman agencies; done by, or seemingly done by, enchantment or sorcery; as, a magical spell.

Example: ‘The painter's magic skill.’;

any art that invokes supernatural powers

an illusory feat; considered magical by naive observers

possessing or using or characteristic of or appropriate to supernatural powers;

Example: ‘charming incantations’; ‘magic signs that protect against adverse influence’; ‘a magical spell’; ‘'tis now the very witching time of night’; ‘wizard wands’; ‘wizardly powers’;

the power of apparently influencing events by using mysterious or supernatural forces

Example: ‘suddenly, as if by magic, the doors start to open’;

mysterious tricks, such as making things disappear and reappear, performed as entertainment

Example: ‘his parents bought him a magic set for Christmas’;

a quality of being beautiful and delightful in a way that seems remote from daily life

Example: ‘the magic of the theatre’;

exceptional skill or talent

Example: ‘he's been working his magic on New Zealand movies for the past two decades’;

having or apparently having supernatural powers

Example: ‘a magic wand’;

very effective in producing the desired results

Example: ‘confidence is the magic ingredient needed to spark recovery’;

wonderful; exciting

Example: ‘it was a great time, magic’;

move, change, or create by or as if by magic

Example: ‘he must have been magicked out of the car at the precise second it exploded’;