MAGUS

magus

(noun) a member of the Zoroastrian priesthood of the ancient Persians

magus

(noun) a magician or sorcerer of ancient times

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

magus (plural magi)

(common usage) magician, and derogatorily sorcerer, trickster, conjurer, charlatan

(special usage) a Zoroastrian priest

Usage notes

The two meanings overlap in classical usage— both derive from the Greco-Roman identification of "Zoroaster" as the "inventor" of astrology and magic. The first meaning ("magician") derives from the sense of "practitioner of the Zoroaster's craft", and the second meaning ("priest") from the sense of "practitioner of Zoroaster's religion".