Faust

[ foust ]

noun

1. Jo·hann [yoh, -hahn], c1480–c1538, German magician, alchemist, and astrologer.
2. the chief character of a medieval legend, represented as selling his soul to the devil in exchange for knowledge and power.
3. (italics) a tragedy by Goethe (Part 1, 1808; Part 2, 1832).
4. (italics) an opera (1859) by Charles Gounod.

Faust

/ ˈfaʊstəs; faʊst /

noun

1. German legend a magician and alchemist who sells his soul to the devil in exchange for knowledge and power

Faust

1. A legendary sixteenth-century magician and practitioner of alchemy , who sold his soul to the devil in exchange for youth, knowledge, and power. Christopher Marlowe, a sixteenth-century English poet, and Johann Wolfgang von Goethe wrote famous plays about him.

Notes

A “Faustian” bargain is one in which a person is willing to make extreme sacrifices for power or knowledge without considering the ultimate cost.

Example Sentences

Eventually, if the vaccine shows at least 65% efficacy, and further trials take place, Prof Faust said it could be used to protect children too.

From BBC

“Ophelia’s Got Talent” jointly won Germany’s Faust prize for best dance production last year, cementing Holzinger’s status as one of Europe’s rising theater stars.

From New York Times

The release did not indicate what led investigators to Faust or explain how or whether he and Baker knew each other.

From Seattle Times

They wanted to do “Faust,” but weren’t allowed to.

From Seattle Times

When they hired Faust, Nickson reacted like the pro he is.

From Los Angeles Times