magi Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun (New Testament) the sages who visited Jesus and Mary and Joseph shortly after Jesus was born; the Gospel According to Matthew says they were guided by a star and brought gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh; because there were three gifts it is usually assumed that there were three of them
    Wise Men.
  2. noun a magician or sorcerer of ancient times
    magus.
  3. noun a member of the Zoroastrian priesthood of the ancient Persians
    magus.

WordNet

Ma"gi noun plural
Etymology
L., pl. of Magus, Gr. of Per. origin. Cf. Mage, Magic.
Definitions
  1. A caste of priests, philosophers, and magicians, among the ancient Persians; hence, any holy men or sages of the East.
    The inspired Magi from the Orient came. Sandys.

Webster 1913