Chernoknizhnik
/ˈtʃɛr.nə.kˈnɪʒ.nɪk/noun
A term referring to a practitioner of black magic or sorcery, particularly in Slavic folklore.
Did you know?In Slavic tradition, the Chernoknizhnik is said to harness the power of the 'Black Book', a mythical tome filled with forbidden knowledge and dark spells.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Slavic
PSl
*čьrnь
“dark, black”
Old Church Slavonic
OCS
чьрьныи
“dark, black, relating to evil or the underworld”
Medieval Slavic
MedSlav
чёрный
“black, often associated with malevolence or magic”
Modern Russian
Russian
чёрнокнижник
“one who practices black magic or sorcery, literally 'black book keeper'”