witch

Từ điển Oxford Advanced Learner 8th

witch [witch witches witched witching] BrE [wɪtʃ] NAmE [wɪtʃ] noun
1. a woman who is believed to have magic powers, especially to do evil things. In stories, she usually wears a black pointed hat and flies on a ↑broomstick.
2. (disapproving)an ugly unpleasant old woman
see a witch's/an evil brew at ↑brew _n.

Word Origin:
Old English wicca (masculine), wicce (feminine), wiccian (verb).

Culture:
Witches are often shown in pictures and described in old stories as ugly old women with black clothes and pointed hats, who are able to fly on broomsticks. In the past, women who were considered to be witches were burnt alive or hanged. In the late 20th century many young people began to call themselves witches as part of the ↑New Age interest in ancient beliefs and cultures
•The witch made her sleep for many years but she woke up when the handsome prince kissed her.

See also ↑Salem witch trials
.

Example Bank:
•He was turned into a rat by a wicked witch.
•Many people believed her to be a witch.
•She sat astride the broomstick, just like a witch in a fairy tale.

• Từ đồng nghĩa / Synonyms:
  hag, beldam, beldame, crone, Wiccan, enchantress, hex, bewitch, glamour, enchant, jinx