Nonmagicians

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. Individuals who practice arts and skills outside the realm of magic
2. People who do not perform illusions or supernatural feats
3. Those who are not involved in or associated with magical practices

Etymology: "Nonmagicians" is simply the plural of "nonmagician," which is formed by attaching the prefix "non-" to "magician." The prefix is a straightforward English formation meaning "not," so the compound's sense is transparent: a person who is not a magician. The base word "magician" comes ultimately from the Greek "magos," the name for a member of a priestly caste in ancient Persia, which passed through Latin and Old French before reaching English. The prefix "non-" was used freely in English to build negative counterparts of existing nouns and adjectives, which is why it attaches so readily to a common noun like "magician." Its plural is regular, and the word is typically used when a writer needs to contrast practitioners of the arts with everyone else, as in fantasy fiction and folklore.

Synonyms: nonperformers, ordinary people, normal individuals, nonillusionists, mundanes

Antonyms: magicians, illusionists, performers, wizards, sorcerers