[f. WIZARD sb. + -RY.]
1. The art or practice of a wizard or wizards; wizardly or magic skill; witchery, witchcraft.
1583. Golding, Calvin on Deut. cix. 671/1. If these [inchanters or witches] be forbidden; we must vnderstand … yt all other kinds of Wisardrie are deadly crimes.
1665. Patrick, Pilgrim, vii. 23. I never used any other Wizzard[r]y to make my Land better than my neighbours, but what you will find to lye in these Spades, Ploughs, and Oxen.
1796. W. Taylor, in Monthly Rev., XX. 535. The Arabic wizardry of the Italian, the elfen mythology of the German poet, seemed to offer rival resources for a supernatural machinery.
1855. Browning, Men & Women, I. An Epistle, 249. The learned leech Perished in a tumult many years ago, Accused … of wizardry.
1861. S. Thomson, Wild Fl., III. (ed. 4), 239. All the witcheries and wizardries that found home in the imaginations of the people.
1877. Symonds, Renaiss. It., vi. 343. As a physiognomist and diviner, he acquired a reputation bordering on wizardry.
b. transf. Magic lore.
1876. E. Dowden, Poems, 196. There I will sit, and score rare wisardry In characters vermilion, azure, gold.
2. fig. ‘Magical’ or ‘bewitching’ art, power or influence; ‘magic.’
1884. J. Parker, Apost. Life, II. 265. Time … works its wondrous wizardry upon the mind.
1887. Academy, 20 Aug., 113/3. So fascinating a writer is Mr. Matthew Arnold, so all conquering is his own wizardry and fairy charm.
1901. ‘Lucas Malet,’ Sir Richard Calmady, V. ii. You have employed a certain wizardry in the furnishing of that room.
