witches

witch  (wch)

n.

1. A woman claiming or popularly believed to possess magical powers and practice sorcery.

2. A believer or follower of Wicca; a Wiccan.

3. A hag.

4. A woman considered to be spiteful or overbearing.

5. Informal A woman or girl considered bewitching.

6. One particularly skilled or competent at one's craft: "A witch of a writer, [she] is capable of developing an intensity that verges on ferocity" (Peter S. Prescott).

v. witched, witch·ing, witch·es

v.tr.

1. To work or cast a spell on; bewitch.

2. To cause, bring, or effect by witchcraft.

v.intr.

To use a divining rod to find underground water or minerals; dowse.

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[Middle English wicche, from Old English wicce, witch, and wicca, wizard, sorcerer; see weg- in Indo-European roots.]

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witcher·y (--r) n.

witchy adj.

Translations

witches’:

witches’ brew

n → Zaubertrank m; (fig) → Teufelszeug nt (inf)

witches’ Sabbath

n → Hexensabbat m