Definition of wizard

The word "wizard" originated in Old English as "wízard", meaning "skilled in knowledge" or "wise". Its roots lie in the Old English words "wīs" meaning "wise" and "-ard", the suffix used to denote a person who practices a certain craft or trade. The term "wizard" was originally used to describe people with specialized skills or knowledge, such as physicians or craftsmen. However, by the Middle Ages, the term came to be associated with practitioners of magic and sorcery, as wizards in medieval literature were seen as figures with supernatural powers. The modern use of the word "wizard" to refer to characters in popular culture, such as Harry Potter's Albus Dumbledore, draws upon this literary tradition, while also emphasizing the special skills and knowledge possessed by these characters. Despite its association with the fantastical and supernatural, the original meaning of "wizard" as "skilled" or "wise" remains an crucial part of the word's modern meaning as well.