witches

3 definitions • 2 examples

a woman who is believed to have magical powers and who uses them to harm or help other people:

a witch on a broomstick

Witches were persecuted all over western Europe from the 15th to the 17th century, as it was claimed that they had dealings with the Devil.

an unpleasant and ugly woman

a woman who is believed to have magical powers and, esp. in stories, uses them to help or harm people