What is the difference between a wizard and a sorcerer?

Question

What is the difference between a wizard and a sorcerer?

Answer 1

I dont think there is, i think they are same. Just wizards have other names.

Answer 2

IDK about the real things but in AD&D the wizard has to learn every thing out of a book but a sorcerer doesn't!

Answer 3

Based on my own words a "wizard" is thought to be something is good on what specific means. and a "sorcerer" is like a bad influenced people that has powers that a wizard doesnt have. A wizard has a good heart but a sorcerer has a slight bad heart.

Answer 4

The real answer, the historical answer is this:

They were the same but one went toward medicine and the other architecture. They were men that could read (which not many could 1800 yrs ago) they came from the middle east and were Jewish or Egyptian , and the reason they had symbols of numbers on their robes was to signify they knew algebra and geometry. The kings brought them back to Europe to help build the castles and churches they needed someone that could design such large structures and oversee the construction. They taught the kings son's in math.

With the skills of geometry they were able to build the large Christian Churches that still stand today. They brought in their own workers that built the large structures. And for centuries the Church protected them because they needed them and turned a blind eye to the fact that they were not Christian. The local peasants and builders resented the fact that they were not hired to design and build the structures, even though they couldn't, they were financial jealous and prejudice occurred.

Answer 5

The purported "historical" source in the above statement doesn't make sense to me.  They're English words, so looking for their evolution in ancient histories of cultures utilizing Semitic languages is pretty silly.  The word wizard was first used sometime when Middle English was in use, most likely between 1400-1550.  The first part of the word "wiz" is similar to the modern "wise," and the suffix "-ard" was usually used to denote people regularly engaged in that activity or totally imbued with that characteristic.  Middle English Frankish first names like "Abalhart" or "Bernard" ("Bernhart") utilized this suffix to intensify the quality of the affix.  So, the word "wizard" in its most direct meaning is someone very wise.  It should also be noted that the suffix "-ard" is used mainly in pejorative words like "coward" and "dullard," so the meanings have changed a little.  

The word sorcerer was first found in the similar time period circa 1520.  It was a Middle English word ("sorcer") derived from the Middle French "sorcier."  This was most likely derived from the vulgar Latin "sortiarius," meaning "one who casts lots."  This word was, in turn, derived from the proper Latin word "sort-/sors," meaning "lots" or "fate."  Nowadays, the word sorcerer connotes someone who practices magic for evil.  

The precise difference between the two is a modern-day invention.  If you're going to differentiate the two, I'd wager to say wizards practice good magic while sorcerers, bad.  But, now and again, some will also associate wizards with bad magic.  There was never any historical differentiation between the two words specifically; this difference is merely seen in modern-day fantasy novels and movies.