"Thaumaphile: A scholar who devotes his study to the understanding of the history and usage of various types of supernatural power. Thaumaphiles may or may not be associated with any of the various wizard cults, and some, occasionally, have association with a temple or god. As a rule, thaumaphiles claim to have no power of their own, but their understanding of the underlying theory that governs the power of others has, according to various legends and histories, allowed them to manipulate magical energy. For the most part, thaumaphiles keep to themselves, or at least keep their research secret, since they are not generally well-received by wizards or priests."

I read an odd analogy in some other book--which book was it?--that tried to explain the thaumaphile. It used more modern terminology: wizards are like authors, and thaumaphiles are like literary critics. Thus, the thaumaphile does not create anything of his own, but instead, illuminates or degrades the work of others. Before learning of these strange men and women, I had not thought of supernatural power as something that could be enhanced or devalued through the understanding of another.