wizard

== English == === Etymology === From Middle English wysard, wysarde, equivalent to wise +‎ -ard. A uniquely medieval Anglo-Saxon word with no known morphologically exact cognates inside the Germanic family; did not gain distinct sense of "occultist, magic user" (as opposed to a philosopher or sage) until circa 1500s, aligning roughly with the starting English Renaissance. However, via Proto-Indo-European *weyd- cognate with Proto-Celtic *druwits (whence English druid), Proto-Slavic *vědьma (Polish wiedźma, Russian ве́дьма (védʹma)), Russian веду́н (vedún). The sense of "old (male) virgin" is from a Japanese Internet meme in which virgins who are typically friendless, shy outcasts and loners who don't fit in anywhere legendarily gain magical powers upon reaching 30 years of age; popularized ultimately by 4chan and adjacent online incel spaces. Compare typologically specialist (<< Latin speciō). === Pronunciation === (non-rhotic): (Received Pronunciation, Australian) IPA(key): /ˈwɪzəd/ (New Zealand) IPA(key): /ˈwəzəd/ (rhotic): (General American, Standard Canadian) IPA(key): /ˈwɪzɚd/, [ˈwɪzɚd] ~ [ˈwɪzɹ̩d] (Scotland) IPA(key): /ˈwɪzəɾd/ (South Asia) IPA(key): /ˈwɪzə(ɾ)ɖ/, /wɪˈzɑ(ɾ)ɖ/ Rhymes: -ɪzə(ɹ)d Hyphenation: wi‧zard === Noun === wizard (plural wizards) Someone, usually male, who uses (or has skill with) magic, mystic items, and magical and mystical practices. Synonyms: conjurer, mage, magician, magic user, mystic, sorcerer, warlock, witch One who is especially skilled or unusually talented in a particular field. Synonyms: expert, genius, prodigy (computing) A computer program or script used to simplify complex operations, often for an inexperienced user. Synonym: assistant (Internet) An administrator of a multi-user dungeon, or someone who has earned similar rights through gameplay; a user in wizard mode. (obsolete) A wise man; a sage. (incel slang, sometimes humorous) A virgin over the age of 30 who does not socialize and thus cannot find a sexual partner. Coordinate terms: (long-term celibate) truecel, KHHV, permavirgin, WBAFC, wizard, genetic dead end, forever alone ==== Synonyms ==== see also Thesaurus:magician see also Thesaurus:skilled person witch (usually female) mage sorcerer ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Translations ==== ==== See also ==== === Adjective === wizard (not comparable) (slang, dated, UK) Fine, superb (originally RAF slang). === Verb === wizard (third-person singular simple present wizards, present participle wizarding, simple past and past participle wizarded) (intransitive) To practice wizardry. (transitive) To conjure.