plural noun, singular Ma·gus [mey-guh s] /ˈmeɪ gəs/
- (sometimes lowercase) the wise men, generally assumed to be three in number, who paid homage to the infant Jesus. Matt. 2:1–12.Compare Balthazar(def 1), Caspar(def 1), Melchior(def 1).
- (sometimes lowercase) the class of Zoroastrian priests in ancient Media and Persia, reputed to possess supernatural powers.
- (lowercase) astrologers.
noun, plural Ma·gi [mey-jahy] /ˈmeɪ dʒaɪ/.
- (sometimes lowercase) one of the Magi.
- (lowercase) a magician, sorcerer, or astrologer.
- (sometimes lowercase) a Zoroastrian priest.Compare Magi(def 2).
pl n singular magus (ˈmeɪɡəs)
- the Zoroastrian priests of the ancient Medes and Persians
- the three magi the wise men from the East who came to do homage to the infant Jesus (Matthew 2:1–12) and traditionally called Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar
noun plural magi (ˈmeɪdʒaɪ)
- a Zoroastrian priest
- an astrologer, sorcerer, or magician of ancient times
- Simon Magus New Testament a sorcerer who tried to buy spiritual powers from the apostles (Acts 8:9-24)
n.c.1200, “skilled magicians, astrologers,” from Latin magi, plural of magus “magician, learned magician,” from Greek magos, a word used for the Persian learned and priestly class as portrayed in the Bible (said by ancient historians to have been originally the name of a Median tribe), from Old Persian magush “magician” (see magic). Related: Magian. n.member of the ancient Persian priestly caste, late 14c., singular of magi (q.v.). The sages who visited Jesus soon after his birth. (See Wise Men.)