What does "theurgy" mean?
A form of magic designed to allow for worship or conjuration of, or communication with spirits or deities.
Theurgy
/ˈθiːˌɝ.d͡ʒi/ noun
noun ·Uncommon ·Advanced level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A form of magic designed to allow for worship or conjuration of, or communication with spirits or deities.
- Grammar: theurgy is listed as noun.
- Nearest alternatives: alchemy, bewitchery, charm, divination.
- Useful contrasts: secular practice, thaumaturgy.
- Usage evidence: The mystical school of Yogis was established by Patanjali, the founder of one of the six philosophical systems of ancient India. It is supposed that the Neo-platonists of the second and third Alexandrian Schools were the followers of Indian Yogis, more especially was their theurgy brought from India by Pythagoras, according to the tradition.
How to use "theurgy"
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- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "theurgy" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
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Meaning check
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- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "theurgy" in a final draft.
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Before you rely on this definition
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Compare nearby meanings
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Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "theurgy" is acting as noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
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3. Confirm with context
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Final meaning check
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Definitions
Noun
- 1 A form of magic designed to allow for worship or conjuration of, or communication with spirits or deities. countable, uncountable
"And from this he concludes that theurgy is a craft which accomplishes not only good but evil among gods and men; and that the gods also have passions, and are perturbed and agitated by the emotions which Apuleius attributed to demons and men, but from which he preserved the gods by that sublimity of residence, which, in common with Plato, he accorded to them."
- 2 white magic performed with the help of beneficent spirits (as formerly practiced by Neoplatonists) wordnet
- 3 A supernatural intervention in human affairs. countable, uncountable
- 4 the effect of supernatural or divine intervention in human affairs wordnet
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
secular practicethaumaturgy
Example
"The mystical school of Yogis was established by Patanjali, the founder of one of the six philosophical systems of ancient India. It is supposed that the Neo-platonists of the second and third Alexandrian Schools were the followers of Indian Yogis, more especially was their theurgy brought from India by Pythagoras, according to the tradition."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "theurgy"?
Common synonyms include: alchemy, bewitchery, charm, divination, divine contemplation, divine rite.
How do you use "theurgy" in a sentence?
The mystical school of Yogis was established by Patanjali, the founder of one of the six philosophical systems of ancient India. It is supposed that the Neo-platonists of the second and third Alexandrian Schools were the followers of Indian Yogis, more especially was their theurgy brought from India by Pythagoras, according to the tradition.
How do you pronounce "theurgy"?
Pronounced /ˈθiːˌɝ.d͡ʒi/.
Etymology
From Late Latin theūrgia, from Ancient Greek θεουργίᾱ (theourgíā, “sorcery”), from θεός (theós, “god”) + ἔργον (érgon, “work”). By surface analysis, the- + -urgy.