Meaning & use
magic circle
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Meanings
nouncountable
A circle drawn on the ground that is said to protect people inside it during magic or rituals.
Grammar: Countable: you can say 'a magic circle' or 'the magic circle'; it takes a singular verb.
Patterns
- draw a magic circle
- stand inside a magic circle
The witch drew a magic circle around the fire before she began to chant.
In the story, no evil spirit could cross the magic circle.
nounsingularBritishbusiness
The small group of very powerful commercial law firms in the UK.
Grammar: Usually written with the definite article: 'the magic circle'. It refers to the group as a whole.
Patterns
- join the magic circle
- a magic circle firm
She trained at a magic circle firm in London before moving in-house.
The magic circle dominates the market for big corporate deals.
Word forms
| plural | magic circles |
|---|
Common combinations
- draw a magic circle
- The children drew a magic circle in the sand.
- cast a magic circle
- The priest cast a magic circle to keep the spirits out.
- inside a magic circle
- They stood inside a magic circle for protection.
- a magic circle firm
- He works for a magic circle firm in the City.
Synonyms and how they differ
- ring
- A ring can be any circular shape; a magic circle is specifically one used in magic or ritual.
- protective circle
- A more descriptive phrase that emphasizes the protective function rather than the magic itself.
Word family
- magician noun
- A person who performs magic.
- magical adjective
- Relating to magic or seeming to have special powers.
Commonly confused: magic circle or magic wand?
magic circle vs magic wand
A magic wand is a stick used by a magician; a magic circle is a ring drawn on the ground.
Practice
In the ritual, the priest drew a ______ to keep the participants safe.
Choose one answer.
A magic circle is a drawn ring used for protection in rituals. A magic wand is a stick, a magic trick is an illusion, and a magic spell is words or actions meant to cause magic—none of these is a drawn circle.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “magic circle”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.