Ways to say it
| Latin | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| venēfica | feminine | |
| maga | [ˈma.ɡa] (Classical Latin, narrow) [ˈmaː.ɡa] (narrow) |
feminine |
| venēficus | masculine | |
| fascināns | feminine, masculine | |
| fascinātor | masculine | |
| fascinātrīx | feminine | |
| sāgus | masculine | |
| sāga | feminine | |
| striga | [ˈstriː.ɡa] (Classical Latin, narrow) [ˈstrɪ.ɡa] (Classical Latin, narrow) |
feminine |
| lamia | [ˈɫa.mi.a] (Classical Latin, narrow) [ˈlaː.mi.a] (narrow) |
feminine |
| pȳthōnissa | feminine |
In Latin, several different terms are used to describe a person who uses magic, depending on the specific nature of their powers or the connotation of the word.
What does it mean word for word?
The word venēfica is literally a 'poisoner', derived from venenum (poison).
Which one should you use?
maga is a more neutral or general term for a female practitioner of magic. In contrast, venēfica specifically implies a witch who uses poisons or harmful spells. For more sinister or monstrous connotations, one might use striga, which often refers to a hag or a nocturnal predator. Other specialized forms include sāga for a prophetess or soothsayer, lamia and pȳthōnissa. For males, venēficus is the masculine form, fascinātor is a male enchanter and sāgus is a masculine soothsayer. The term fascināns can be used for either a man or a woman.
How does it change in a sentence?
sāga is a feminine noun of the first declension used to describe a female practitioner of magic or a prophetess.
Did you know?
- The word fascinātor is the root of the English word 'fascinate'. In Latin, it originally referred to someone who could cast a spell or a 'glance' to bewitch others.
- The term maga is a loanword from the Greek magos, which in turn came from the Old Persian 'magu'. It originally referred to a specific caste of priests in Persia.
- While venēfica means 'poisoner', the root venenum could mean either a deadly poison or a healing drug. This reflects a cultural belief that the difference between medicine and magic was a matter of dosage.
Examples in context
- Maga sum.I'm a witch.This sentence is useful for expressing the identity of being a witch using maga.Tatoeba #12927559 by rul, translation #12927425 by rul
- In historia Romana, existebant multae maleficae.In Roman history, there were many witches.
- Antiqui Romani multas veneficas timebant.The ancient Romans feared many witches.
- Heus, illa saga vix creditur!Hey, that witch is hard to believe!
- Illīna est venēfica perterribilis.Illina is a terrible witch.
- Nūllus vir venēficam timet.No man fears the witch.
Example conversation
Lucia and Gaius are discussing a mysterious woman in town.
- LuciaVidesne illam venēficam?Do you see that witch?
- GaiusIta, eam video.Yes, I see her.
- LuciaMagiam periculōsam facit.She is performing dangerous magic.
- GaiusNoli eam tangere, Lucia.Do not touch her, Lucia.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “witch” translations and entries maga, striga, lamia, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
