[ad. Gr. θαυματουργία wonder-working, conjuring, f. THAUMATO- + -εργος working: see -Y. So F. thaumaturgie (1878, in Dict. Acad.).] The working of wonders; miracle-working; magic.
1727. Bailey, vol. II., Thaumaturgy [1730 (folio) also Thaumaturgicks],… any Art that does, or seems to do Wonders, or, as it is defin’d by Dr. Dee [cf. THAUMATURGIC sb. a], a mathematical Science, which gives a certain Rule for the making of strange Works to be perceiv’d by the Sense, yet to be greatly wonder’d at.
1778. Warton, Hist. Eng. Poetry, xv. (1840), II. 178. This art, with others of the experimental kind, the philosophers of those times were fond of adapting to the purposes of thaumaturgy.
1831. Carlyle, Sart. Res., III. viii. A World of Miracles, wherein all fabled or authentic Thaumaturgy, and feats of Magic, were outdone.
1872. Minto, Eng. Prose Lit., I. i. 38. Magic,—both black and white,—thaumaturgy, and necromancy.
