voo ‧ doo /ˈvuːduː/ BrE AmE noun [uncountable]
[ Date: 1800-1900 ; Language: Louisiana French ; Origin: voudou , from an African language ]
magical beliefs and practices used as a form of religion, especially by people in Haiti
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THESAURUS
▪ magic noun [uncountable] the power to make impossible things happen, by saying special words or doing special actions:
In the story, she uses magic to turn him into a frog.
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Local people believe that he can heal wounds and illnesses using magic.
▪ witchcraft noun [uncountable] the use of magic, usually to do bad things:
Hundreds of women were accused of witchcraft in the 1600s.
▪ spell noun [countable] a special set of words or actions that are used to make something happen by magic:
a magic spell
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An evil witch cast a spell on him (=said a special set of words or did a special series of actions, in order to make something happen to someone by magic) , turning him into a beast.
▪ curse ( also hex American English ) noun [countable] something that makes someone or something have bad luck:
The house seemed to have a curse on it.
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People believed the pharaoh would put a curse on (=use magic to make them have bad luck) anyone who broke into the tomb.
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She believed her former husband had put a hex on her.
▪ the occult mysterious powers and events that involve magic and spirits:
He was very interested in the occult.
▪ voodoo noun [uncountable] magical beliefs and practices used as a form of religion:
a voodoo curse
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In Haiti, the people still practice voodoo.