Witch
Template:Expand A Witch (sometimes spelled wytch as in the old English) is a female practitioner of the occult or pagan rites. In the past many witches were burnt at the stake. In Exodus 22:18 the Bible specifically bans witchcraft under penalty of death. The famous British Pendle Witch trials of 1612AD are an example of the punishment meted out to witches by certain members of the Catholic church.
In romantic times, witches became popular figures of novels and fairy-tales. Most of the times they were of evil and dangerous character, but there are also examples of benevolent character. At about the same time they became popular carneval figures.
Modern Usage
The term "witchhunt" is also used to denote a political crusade against a particular group.
See also:
- Harry Potter characters, female
