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witching

witching

8 9.9
Use of magic to harm or control people
  • noun
  • /ˈwɪtʃɪŋ/
translation icon : brujería
  • Legends say that witches perform their rituals at the witching hour.

Examples

  • Three a. m. is the demonic witching hour.

  • We even knew what time was the "witching hour," when we were most likely to get such calls.

    Blog text (13)
  • All right, boys, we're getting into the witching hour.

  • Tonight at the witching hour.

  • It's getting close to the witching hour, so I have work to do.

    Blog text (17)
  • So let's count it down as we get down to the witching hour!

    Fiction book (1995)
  • "It's the witching hour, boys and girls, and you all know how witches used to fly away on Halloween.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • 'Tis now the very witching time of night...

  • SOPHIE: It was the witching hour, when the bogeyman comes out.

  • I looked up at her sunburst clock and saw that it was 12:32—the true witching hour.

    Fiction book (1995)

Synonyms

witchcraft
vswitching
  • Literature
87 7.0

A practice of using magic and spells to help or harm people

is the same activity but named as a general noun form
sorcery
vswitching
  • Literature
29 9.2

To use magic to control people or events, often to harm

is the practice regardless of moral judgment or evil intent
occult
vswitching
20 9.8

Beliefs about secret supernatural powers and practices

is the specific engaged practice rather than the broader set of beliefs
witchery
vswitching
3 9.1

The use of magic and spells to do strange things

is the general term for the practice without artistic emphasis
occultism
vswitching
3 9.9

The study and practice of magic and secret powers

is the practical use of magic rather than study or theory
spellwork
vswitching
1 9.4

Using special words and small actions to make magic happen

is more general, not limited to processes that use spells
spellcasting
vswitching
1 8.5

Using words or actions to make magic happen

is broader, covering all practice beyond only casting spells
ritualism
vswitching
1 8.6

Interest in and practice of ceremonies in religion and magic

is the active magical practice rather than strict emphasis on prescribed forms
the art of witchery
vswitching
9.9

A practice of doing magic using spells and potions

is the same practice but named more simply and broadly
brujeria
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  • Literature
9.9

A practice of witchcraft and magic often found in Latin American communities

is the general practice without specific cultural association
occult arts
vswitching
9.9

Practices that try to use hidden powers like magic

is narrower, referring mainly to a single tradition of magical practice
theurgy
vswitching
  • Literature
9.9

Rituals that try to call or connect people with gods

is about general magical practice rather than specifically invoking deities

Surface Forms

witching singular
witchings plural

Morphology

witching = witch (semi-transparent) = witch + ing

The word is built from 'witch' + '-ing', but the noun is a lexicalized practice term rather than a fully predictable action noun.

Etymology

Witching comes from the word witch, which means 'a person who uses magic'. So witching as a noun is the act of using witchcraft or casting spells, and thinking of a witch doing magic helps you remember this meaning.