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# witchcraft

noun (witchcraft, uncountable)

«witchcraft» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. The use of magic powers, especially to do harm, as believed in stories and in many old beliefs. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/witchcraft/#m1)
2. (history) In the past, a crime people were wrongly accused of, as in the witch trials in Europe and in Salem, Massachusetts, in 1692. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/witchcraft/#m2)
3. (informal) Something so clever or surprising it seems like magic. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/witchcraft/#m3)

### In the lessons

In fairy tales and fantasy books, witches use witchcraft with spells, potions and broomsticks. In history lessons, many innocent people, mostly women, were accused of witchcraft, tried and even killed because of fear and rumours; it is a lesson about blaming people without evidence. The Bible forbids witchcraft, and Christians believe people should trust God, not spells. Some people today follow modern religions such as Wicca, which they call witchcraft or the Craft. Jokingly: "How did you fix that? It's witchcraft!" Phrases: "accused of witchcraft", "witchcraft and wizardry".

### Examples

- In the story, the old woman used witchcraft to turn the prince into a frog. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/witchcraft/#x1)
- In 1692, people in Salem were wrongly accused of witchcraft. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/witchcraft/#x2)
- Long ago, people blamed witchcraft for bad harvests. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/witchcraft/#x3)
- The Bible warns against witchcraft. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/witchcraft/#x4)
- Harry Potter goes to a school of witchcraft and wizardry. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/witchcraft/#x5)
- Grandad called the new phone "pure witchcraft". [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/witchcraft/#x6)
- The witch trials show how fear and rumours can hurt innocent people. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/witchcraft/#x7)
- No, I can’t believe that it is anything but witchcraft! [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/witchcraft/#x8)

### Note

Uncountable: "witchcraft", not "a witchcraft". One word. Myth trap: there is no scientific evidence that spells or curses work. Historical accusations of witchcraft were based on fear and gossip, not facts.

## In Jewish tradition

Sorcery, the use of spells or forbidden powers to learn the future or control events.

**Interpretation.** The Torah forbids it, and the prophets treat it as turning from God. Samuel says rebellion is as bad as it.

### Examples

- For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as idolatry and teraphim. (Prophets 1SA.15.23, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/W/witchcraft/#x1)
- And I will cut off witchcrafts out of thy hand; and thou shalt have no more soothsayers; (Prophets MIC.5.11, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/W/witchcraft/#x2)
- Because of the multitude of the harlotries of the well-favoured harlot, the mistress of witchcrafts, that selleth nations through her harlotries, and families through her witchcrafts. (Prophets NAM.3.4, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/W/witchcraft/#x3)

### Note

Uncountable: "witchcraft", not "a witchcraft". One word. Myth trap: there is no scientific evidence that spells or curses work. Historical accusations of witchcraft were based on fear and gossip, not facts.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «witchcraft» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/witchcraft/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«witchcraft» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/witchcraft.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «witchcraft» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/W/witchcraft/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«witchcraft» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/witchcraft.html) on Mova free.