Simon Magus

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

Si′mon Ma′gus, 

1. Bible Simon (defs. 5, 6).

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

Simon Magus noun

1. a Samaritan sorcerer, probably from Gitta, of the 1st century ad. After being converted to Christianity, he tried to buy miraculous powers from the apostles (Acts of the Apostles 8:9–24). He is also identified as the founder of a Gnostic sect

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

Ma•gus  (mā′gəs), n., pl. -gi (-jī). 

1. (sometimes l.c.) one of the Magi.
2. (l.c.) a magician, sorcerer, or astrologer.
3. Eastern Religions (sometimes l.c.) a Zoroastrian priest. Cf. Magi (def. 2).

• Old Persian maguš; compare Avestan moγu
• Greek mágos
• Latin
• 1615–25

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

Magus / ˈmeɪɡəs/ noun

1. Simon Magus ⇒ a sorcerer who tried to buy spiritual powers from the apostles (Acts 8:9-24)