(n)the belief in magical spells that harness occult forces or evil spirits to produce unnatural effects in the world, Syn.black art, necromancy, black magic
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English (GCIDE) v.0.53Collaborative International Dictionary (GCIDE)
n.; pl.Sorceries [ OE. sorcerie, OF. sorcerie, fr. OF. & F. sorcier a sorcerer, LL. sortiarius, fr. L. sors, sortis, a lot, decision by lot, fate, destiny. See Sort, n. ] Divination by the assistance, or supposed assistance, of evil spirits, or the power of commanding evil spirits; magic; necromancy; witchcraft; enchantment. [ 1913 Webster ]
Adder's wisdom I have learned, To fence my ear against thy sorceries. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]