Magic - Definition and Overview

Look up Magic in Wiktionary, the free dictionary

The term magic is a Persian loanword into English and may refer to:

• Magic (paranormal) deals with the manipulation of what the practitioner believes to be genuine paranormal phenomena.
• Magic and religion deals with the relationship of paranormal magic and religion.
• Magic (illusion) deals with the use of illusions and tricks to give the appearance of magical phenomena, with intent to entertain.
• Magic, a 1978 film starring Anthony Hopkins and Ann-Margret.
• The term magician can refer to a practitioner of either paranormal magic or illusionism. See list of magicians (illusionists); list of occultists (paranormal)
• Magic (gaming) deals with the portrayal of paranormal magic by game rules.
• Magic: The Gathering is a trading card game invented by Richard Garfield.
• Magic is a UK radio network and television channel.
• Magic (cryptography) refers to the decrypted messages produced by US cryptographers in WWII — it is usually taken to mean '... from Japanese intercepts'. The equivalent in the UK was Ultra, referring to decrypted German traffic.
• The Orlando Magic is an NBA basketball team
• Magic (software) is a popular and free VLSI layout tool.
• In computer programming, some arcane techniques are referred to as magic. See e.g. deep magic or black magic (Programming). Also, magic numbers are constants used to identify certain file types.
• In computer science, magic refers to an entity that gives miraculous results by finding an element from an empty set or type. Often used in formal specifications to leave things unspecified or for later specification.
• Magic in the Harry Potter books
• MAGIC (Telescope) is an acronym for the La Palma telescope.
• Magic can also be used meaning inspiration or imagination, or general sentimental "feel" as in "Treasure Planet lacks the magic of the classic Disney films." This meaning of magic is often used by the Walt Disney Company.