Where does “magi” come from?

magi (Norwegian Nynorsk) comes from Ancient Greek μαγεία, from Ancient Greek Μάγος, from Old Persian 𐎶𐎦𐏁, from Proto-Iranian magúš, from Proto-Indo-Iranian magʰúš, from Proto-Indo-European megʰ-ú-s, from Proto-Indo-European megʰ- — to be able.

magi (Norwegian Nynorsk): magic

Definitions

  1. magic

Ancestry of “magi”, step by step

magi traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via Ancient Greek μαγεία

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Ancient Greekμαγείαtheology of the Magians
2Ancient GreekΜάγοςmagician, and derogatorily sorcerer, trickster,...
3Old Persian𐎶𐎦𐏁priest
4Proto-Iranianmagúš—
5Proto-Indo-Iranianmagʰúš—
6Proto-Indo-Europeanmegʰ-ú-s—
7Proto-Indo-Europeanmegʰ-to be able

via Old Norse magi

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Old Norsemagistomach
2Proto-Germanicmagôstomach
3Proto-Indo-Europeanmak-bag, belly; bag, sack; small bag or pouch
Every word from Proto-Indo-European megʰ- →Every word from Proto-Indo-European megʰ-ú-s →Every word from Proto-Indo-Iranian magʰúš →
magi — Etymology, Origin & Word History | Etymology Explorer