Witchcraft

(wich kraft.) (Superstitions.) A supernatural power, which persons were formerly supposed to obtain by entering into compact with the evil one. It was believed that they gave themselves up to him body and soul; and he engaged that they should want for nothing, and should be able to a ume whatever shape they pleased, to visit and torment their enemies! A belief in W. was prevalent among the Greeks and Romans; but it was founded on incantations and magical practices. There is only one particular narrative of a witch, in the Old Testament, the evocation of Samuel by the witch of Endor. W. was universally believed in throughout Europe till the 16th century. In 1484 appeared the famous bull of Innocent VIII., narrating the popular superstitions on the subject, and appointing a commi ion to examine and punish witches. From that time it became a crime especially recognized by the ecclesiastical authorities in the Roman Church. In the 16th and 17th centuries the persecution of witches was actively carried on all over Europe, and an incredible number of unfortunate creatures lost their lives. Down even to the end of the 17th century, the learned men of Europe generally were believers in W. In the beginning of the following cent. abetter state of feeling began to prevail, and by degrees the legislative enactments began to be repealed: but even in this century, among the lower cla es, particularly in rural districts, a belief in W. still prevails to avery great extent. Witch-hazel. (Bot.) The common name of the O. Hamamelidaceæ, all. Umbellales. Trees or shrubs with alternate feather-veined leaves having deciduous stipules. Calyx four to five-divided; petals four, five, or wanting; stamens eight, the anthers introrse; ovary two-celled, inferior; ovules solitary or several; styles two. Fruit two-valved; seeds pendulous, albuminous. In some of the plants there are circular disk-like markings in the woody tubes. Natives of North America, Asia, and Africa. Witenagemote, (wit in-āj-mōt.) [A. S.] (Eng. Hist.) The great national council of the Anglo-Saxon kings. It consisted of bishops, abbots, earls, aldermen, thanes of Danish burghs, and, it is supposed, of all those who po e ed forty hides of land. [s. 966]