magic circlen.
/ˌmadʒɪk ˈsəːkl/, U.S. /ˌmædʒɪk ˈsərkəl/ 1. † b. An arrangement of numbers in concentric circles with radial divisions, with arithmetical properties similar to those of the magic square (invented by Benjamin Franklin in 1749). Obsolete.
a. A circle endued with magical powers, a magical figure.
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the world > the supernatural > the occult > sorcery, witchcraft, or magic > [noun] > sign or symbol used in
characta1393
character1449
circle1529
triangle1584
post-writing1621
magic circle1654
sigil1659
hag track1836
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > hiding, concealing from view > privacy > [noun] > private matter or business > recipients of
magic circle1654
Inner Circle1869
1654 J. Speed in E. Gayton Pleasant Notes Don Quixot sig. **v A magick circle of Festivous Wit.
a1774 A. Tucker Light of Nature Pursued (1777) III. iii. xxi. 299 The magic circle of Fashion whirling them perpetually in a giddy round of unavailing trifles.
1850 N. Hawthorne Scarlet Let. xvi. 223 The light lingered about the lonely child,..until her mother had drawn almost nigh enough to step into the magic circle too.
1882 Encycl. Brit. XIV. 228/1 Their practical belief..busied itself almost wholly with obtaining magic powers..by means of..magic circles.
1938 C. G. Jung Psychol. & Relig. iv. 109 Since modern mandalas have..close parallels in ancient magic circles,..it is evident that in the modern mandala man..has replaced the deity.
1973 Jrnl. Genetic Psychol. 122 168 The complete, circular form of the Ufos is reminiscent of the mandala or ‘magic circle’: i.e., totality.
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the world > relative properties > number > graph or diagram > [noun] > diagram > magic square or circle
magical square1693
magical circle1698
magic square1704
magic circle1797
Nasik1866
1797 Encycl. Brit. X. 422 Dr. Franklin..has constructed, not only a magic square of squares, but likewise a magic circle of circles. [Description follows.]
1892 B. Smith & W. H. H. Hudson Arithm. for Schools 19 Magic and nasik squares.
2.
a. With capital initials and with the. A society of conjurors; spec. that established in London in 1905.
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society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > legerdemain, etc. > [noun] > juggler or conjurer > association of
magic circle1912
1912 Magic Wand Aug. 377/2 (heading) ‘The Magic Circular’.—A monthly review of the magic art, issued for private circulation only amongst members of the Magic Circle.
1955 Radio Times 22 Apr. 32/3 All this week magicians from all over the world are gathering to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of the Magic Circle.
1971 G. Mitchell Lament for Leto ii. 51 He..was an amateur conjuror and..was ‘on the fringe of the Magic Circle’.
1991 Brit. Med. Jrnl. 16 Mar. 667/2 It made me think that despite the sleight of hand and Magic Circle stuff practised by our seniors..it was not as impossible to learn as it might seem.
b. A small group of people privileged to receive confidential information, make important decisions, etc.
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society > society and the community > social relations > an association, society, or organization > types of association, society, or organization > [noun] > a coterie or clique
junto1659
cabal1660
Cabbala1671
club1682
clique1711
galère1756
click1813
coterie1827
cenacle1889
magic circle1924
1924 W. Holtby Crowded Street iii. 27 The magic circle of ‘Them’, the great ones. ‘They’ were the élite, the prefects and the games captains.
1974 Times 13 Nov. 16/7 The Tories..would be making a profound mistake if they were to take the right to decide their leader out of the exclusive hands of the elected MPs and put it back into those of some kind of new-furbished Magic Circle.
1974 E. Ambler Dr. Frigo i. 65 Could he have concluded belatedly that letting me into the magic circle had been a mistake?
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2000; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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