fang shih

noun

ˈfäŋˈshē
plural fang shih
: a priest-magician flourishing in China 249 B.C.–A.D. 220 whose office was to provide divinational and magical formulas to those seeking immortality and supernatural powers

Word History

Etymology

Chinese fang1 shih4, from fang1 prescription, formula + shih4 scholar, teacher

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Dictionary Entries Near fang shih

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fang shih

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Cite this Entry

“Fang shih.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fang%20shih. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

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