Witch

wich, n. One, esp. a woman, given to necro- mancy; one practicing magical arts and claiming power to summon spirits from the other world; a sorcerer or sorcere ; formerly, esp. in Eng. and Amer., one accused of obtaining by compact with the Devil, power to torment others an ugly old woman a hag; a charming person, — said of a woman or child. v. [witched (wicht), witching.] To bewitch, fascinate, enchant. [AS. wicce, a witch (woman), fern, of wicca, a wizard, abbr. wifga, witiga, a prophet, soothsayer, wizard, Ic. vitki, a wizard, vitka, to bewitch, vita, AS. witan, to know: see Wit; OIlG. wizago, a seer, whence E. wiseacre.] —Witcb/ery, -er-Y, n. Sorcery enchantment; witchcraft; fascination; entrancing influence. — Witching, a. Suited to enchantment or witchcraft. — Wiz/ard, One devoted to necromancy; a magician conjurer sorcerer. — a. Enchanting charming haunted by wizards. [OF. unsckard, gniichara, sagacious, cunning, Ic. vizfer, clever, knowing, vita, to know.] —Witchcraft, Practices of witches; sorcery; enchantments: power more than natural. Witch-elm, wich'elm, A kind of elm. [Lit., drooping or bending elm, AS. to i can, to bend; wicker.']