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n. 1. A person, especially a woman, claiming or popularly believed to possess magical powers and practice sorcery. 2. A believer or follower of Wicca; a Wiccan. 3. a. Offensive An old woman considered to be ugly or frightening. b. A woman considered to be spiteful or overbearing. c. Informal A woman or girl considered to be charming or fascinating. 4. One particularly skilled or competent at one's craft: "A witch of a writer, [she] is capable of developing an intensity that verges on ferocity" (Peter S. Prescott). v. witched, witch·ing, witch·es v.tr. 1. To work or cast a spell on; bewitch. 2. To cause, bring, or effect by witchcraft. v.intr. To use a divining rod to find underground water or minerals; dowse. [Middle English wicche, from Old English wicce, witch, and wicca, wizard, sorcerer; see weg- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] witcher·y (-ə-rē) n. witchy adj. |
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