Where does “automagic” come from?
automagic (English) comes from English magic, from Middle English magyk, from Old French magique, from Latin magicus, from Ancient Greek μαγικός, from Ancient Greek Μάγος, from Old Persian 𐎶𐎦𐏁, from Proto-Iranian magúš — to be able.
automagic (English): A process carried out automatically in such a...
Definitions
- A process carried out automatically in such a...
Ancestry of “automagic”, step by step
automagic traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.
via English magic
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | magic | The application of rituals or actions, especially... |
| 2 | Middle English | magyk | Alternative form of magik |
| 3 | Old French | magique | — |
| 4 | Latin | magicus | magic, magical |
| 5 | Ancient Greek | μαγικός | magical |
| 6 | Ancient Greek | Μάγος | magician, and derogatorily sorcerer, trickster,... |
| 7 | Old Persian | 𐎶𐎦𐏁 | priest |
| 8 | Proto-Iranian | magúš | — |
| 9 | Proto-Indo-Iranian | magʰúš | — |
| 10 | Proto-Indo-European | megʰ-ú-s | — |
| 11 | Proto-Indo-European | megʰ- | to be able |
via English automatic
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | automatic | Capable of operating without external control or... |
| 2 | French | automatique | automatic |
| 3 | French | automate | automaton |
| 4 | Ancient Greek | αὐτόματον | accident, mere chance |
| 5 | Ancient Greek | αὐτόματος | self-willed, unbidden; self-moving,... |
| 6 | Ancient Greek | μέμαα | to wish eagerly, strive, yearn, desire |
| 7 | Ancient Greek | μέμονα | to be minded or inclined; to be eager; to hasten |
| 8 | Proto-Indo-European | memóne | to think, to be mindful; to remember |
| 9 | Proto-Indo-European | men- | to think, mind; spiritual activity; to stay,... |