witchcraftwitch‧craft /ˈwɪtʃkrɑːft $ -kræft/ noun [uncountable] 
Examples
ExamplesEXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
Thesaurus- At that time, hundreds of women were burned at the stake for witchcraft.
- People who were accused of practicing witchcraft were thrown into the lake.
- For three hundred years the persecution of witchcraft was to continue until the advent of our modern scientific world.
- How do these findings bear upon our earlier discussion of Zande witchcraft?
- Last May, he said, she erected an altar to witchcraft on his dresser.
- She could try to forget him; she could attempt an exorcism by her particular witchcraft of compulsive denigration.
- Then, widening our focus, we looked at Lugbara witchcraft and the ancestor cult which complements and completes it.
- This theory became the basis for the examination and torture of those suspected of witchcraft.
THESAURUS► magic
the use of magic powers, especially evil ones, to make things happen noun [uncountable] the power to make impossible things happen, by saying special words or doing special actions: · In the story, she uses magic to turn him into a frog.· Local people believe that he can heal wounds and illnesses using magic.
► witchcraft noun [uncountable] the use of magic, usually to do bad things: · Hundreds of women were accused of witchcraft in the 1600s.
► spell noun [countable] a special set of words or actions that are used to make something happen by magic: · a magic spell· An evil witch cast a spell on him (=said a special set of words or did a special series of actions, in order to make something happen to someone by magic), turning him into a beast.
► curse (also hex American English) noun [countable] something that makes someone or something have bad luck: · The house seemed to have a curse on it.· People believed the pharaoh would put a curse on (=use magic to make them have bad luck)anyone who broke into the tomb.· She believed her former husband had put a hex on her.
► the occult mysterious powers and events that involve magic and spirits: · He was very interested in the occult.
► voodoo noun [uncountable] magical beliefs and practices used as a form of religion: · a voodoo curse· In Haiti, the people still practice voodoo.
Longman Language Activatormagic► magic a secret power to make things happen or to do things that are normally impossible, by saying special words or doing special actions: · Do you believe in magic?· We only have limited knowledge about the practice of magic in the Middle Ages.by magic: · Angela clapped her hands and the cats disappeared as if by magic.
► witchcraft the use of magic to harm people and make bad things happen: · At that time, hundreds of women were burned at the stake for witchcraft.· People who were accused of practicing witchcraft were thrown into the lake.
► black magic the use of magic to make bad and evil things happen, often by groups of people who believe in it as a religion: · The papers were full of sensational reports on black magic, child killings, and drug raids by police.· Members of the group say they are not involved in devil worship or black magic.
► spell words or actions that are used to make something magic happen: cast a spell (=to say words that will make something magic happen): · The Lilac Fairy cast a spell that sent Aurora to sleep.put a spell on somebody: · When the old man was angry, he threatened to put a spell on the whole tribe.under a spell (=affected by a spell): · Carmelina knew that the bird was really the handsome prince under a spell from the wicked witch.
► the occult spirits and magic, especially magic that involves communicating with evil spirits: · Throughout his life he maintained an interest in the occult.· By the late 1880s , the spreading fascination with the occult sparked a new direction among several young artists.
► voodoo magical beliefs and practices that are used as a form of religion, especially in the Caribbean: · Jonnie said he was going to a voodoo ceremony that night.· a voodoo priest