Magic square

Magic square
Magic Mag"ic, Magical Mag"ic*al, a. [L. magicus, Gr. ?, fr. ?: cf. F. magique. See {Magi}.] 1. Pertaining to the hidden wisdom supposed to be possessed by the Magi; relating to the occult powers of nature, and the producing of effects by their agency. [1913 Webster]

2. Performed by, or proceeding from, occult and superhuman agencies; done by, or seemingly done by, enchantment or sorcery; as, a magical spell. Hence: Seemingly requiring more than human power; imposing or startling in performance; producing effects which seem supernatural or very extraordinary; having extraordinary properties; as, a magic lantern; a magic square or circle. [1913 Webster]

The painter's magic skill. --Cowper. [1913 Webster]

Note: Although with certain words magic is used more than magical, -- as, magic circle, magic square, magic wand, -- we may in general say magic or magical; as, a magic or magical effect; a magic or magical influence, etc. But when the adjective is predicative, magical, and not magic, is used; as, the effect was magical. [1913 Webster]

{Magic circle}, a series of concentric circles containing the numbers 12 to 75 in eight radii, and having somewhat similar properties to the magic square.

{Magic humming bird} (Zo["o]l.), a Mexican humming bird ({Iache magica}), having white downy thing tufts.

{Magic lantern}. See {Lantern}.

{Magic square}, numbers so disposed in parallel and equal rows in the form of a square, that each row, taken vertically, horizontally, or diagonally, shall give the same sum, the same product, or an harmonical series, according as the numbers taken are in arithmetical, geometrical, or harmonical progression.

{Magic wand}, a wand used by a magician in performing feats of magic. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • Magic square — Square Square (skw[^a]r), n. [OF. esquarre, esquierre, F. [ e]querre a carpenter s square (cf. It. squadra), fr. (assumed) LL. exquadrare to make square; L. ex + quadrus a square, fr. quattuor four. See {Four}, and cf. {Quadrant}, {Squad},… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • magic square — n. a table of numbers with the same amount of rows and columns, in which the sum of each column, row, or main diagonal is always equal to the same number …   English World dictionary

  • Magic square — In recreational mathematics, a magic square of order n is an arrangement of n2 numbers, usually distinct integers, in a square, such that the n numbers in all rows, all columns, and both diagonals sum to the same constant.[1] A normal magic… …   Wikipedia

  • magic square — a square containing integers arranged in an equal number of rows and columns so that the sum of the integers in any row, column, or diagonal is the same. [1695 1705] * * * ▪ puzzle       square matrix often divided into cells, filled with numbers …   Universalium

  • magic square — noun a) A palindromic square word arrangement, usually in the form of a magic amulet. Probably the best known magic square is the 5 times;5 square consisting of the words ROTAS OPERA TENET AREPO SATOR. b) An n by n arrangement of n numbers such… …   Wiktionary

  • magic square — square divided into smaller numbered squares so that that every row and column adds up to the same total …   English contemporary dictionary

  • magic square — mag′ic square′ n. math. a square containing integers arranged in an equal number of rows and columns so that the sum of the integers in any row, column, or diagonal is the same • Etymology: 1695–1705 …   From formal English to slang

  • magic square — noun a square matrix of n rows and columns; the first n^2 integers are arranged in the cells of the matrix in such a way that the sum of any row or column or diagonal is the same • Hypernyms: ↑square matrix …   Useful english dictionary

  • magic square — noun Date: circa 1704 a square containing a number of integers arranged so that the sum of the numbers is the same in each row, column, and main diagonal and often in some or all of the other diagonals …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • magic square — noun a square divided into smaller squares each containing a number, such that the figures in each vertical, horizontal, and diagonal row add up to the same value …   English new terms dictionary

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