Dictionary entry

Sorcery

Webster's Dictionary 1913

Sor″cer‐y (?), n.; pl.Sorceries (#). [OE. sorcerie, OF. sorcerie, fr. OF. & F. sorcier a sorcerer, LL. sortiarius, fr. L. sors, sortis, a lot, decision by lot, fate, destiny. See Sort, n.] Divination by the assistance, or supposed assistance, of evil spirits, or the power of commanding evil spirits; magic; necromancy; witchcraft; enchantment.

Adder's wisdom I have learned,

To fence my ear against thy sorceries. Milton.