thaumaturge

noun

thau·​ma·​turge ˈthȯ-mə-ˌtərj How to pronounce thaumaturge (audio)

Examples of thaumaturge in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Brother Larry Schellman taught him about shamans, swamis, and thaumaturges, as well as the Catholic Church’s position on them—namely, that their powers are real but demonically granted. Kent Russell, Harper's Magazine, 11 May 2022 Of Jesus the dusty thaumaturge, the wandering soul-zapper and self-styled son of God, less so. James Parker, The Atlantic, 10 Oct. 2020

Word History

Etymology

Medieval Latin thaumatūrgus "worker of miracles," borrowed from Late Greek thaumatourgós, going back to Greek, "performer of wonders (as an acrobat)," from thaumat-, thaûma "wonder, object of wonder or admiration, marvel" (probably derivative from the base of théā "sight, spectacle") + -ourgos "performing, carrying out (the thing specified)," going back to *-o-wergos or *-o-worgos, derivative of Indo-European *u̯erǵ- "make, bring about" (whence, as a nominal derivative, Greek érgon "work") — more at theater entry 1, work entry 1

First Known Use

1715, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of thaumaturge was in 1715

Dictionary Entries Near thaumaturge

Cite this Entry

“Thaumaturge.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/thaumaturge. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on thaumaturge

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!