sigil

noun

sig·​il ˈsi-jil How to pronounce sigil (audio)
1
2
: a sign, word, or device held to have occult power in astrology or magic

Examples of sigil in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The sigil features seven stars, and Reginald instructs seven of the Hargreeves children to stand on the markers. Amy MacKelden, Harper's BAZAAR, 22 June 2022 This particular sigil is intended to work with the voice and calls on the god known as Exu or Esú in Portuguese (also known as Elegua in places like Puerto Rico and Cuba and Legba in Africa). Julissa James, Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2023 The matte, phosphorescent sigils painted onto his robe appeared to palpitate in the low light. Kent Russell, Harper's Magazine, 11 May 2022 The experts suggest amping it up a notch by using herbs, oils, sigils, or crystals that represent the meaning behind your intention or spell in conjunction with lighting your white candle. Aliza Pelto, Women's Health, 14 Apr. 2023 The sleeves are textured like the fur on the first sigil. Town & Country, 9 Apr. 2023 The sigil is said to encourage the articulation of thoughts and feelings and aid in making music. Julissa James, Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2023 What is the same is the ears, the sigil and the cowl. Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2023 Yet the rat is the natural sigil of New York City: maritime, hungry, brave, ingenious, ambitious, unsentimental, disloyal, charismatic, sociable, adaptable, capable of violence, possessed of a nocturnal glamour and feral beauty. Justin Beal, Harper’s Magazine , 14 Dec. 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sigil.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English sigulle, from Latin sigillum — more at seal

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of sigil was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near sigil

Cite this Entry

“Sigil.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sigil. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.

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