Wizard:
Magician, Sorcerer, male witch, person who affects
seeming impossibilities.
(Oxford Illustrated English Dictionary).
(1) One who professes to practice magic, a magician or sorcerer.
(2) A conjurer or Juggler.
(3) A person of amazing skill or accomplishment.
(Webster's Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary).
1) The wizard sage
He is old and impressive, usually with a long white beard and a pointy hat. he knows
more than he says.
Most of the times he's not really a normal human being at all.
He doesn't always lead but usually determines what the party or hero will do,
his knowledge and power tip the scale to the good guys' side although he never
can do it all alone for some reason, or take the credit.
Merlin - the aged and wise adviser to king Arthur.
Gandalf - who leads 13 dwarves and a hobbit to a treasure hunt,
but is also one of the important leaders of the War Of the Ring.
Elminster - the ageless sage from Shadowdale, always helping the causes of good.
Fizban (or Zifnab) - crazy wizard/god from two of the most creative Weis and Hickman's worlds.
Belgarath - The Ancient, leader of the disciples of Aldur and thief and story teller
in his spare time.
2)The Adventuring Wizard
Usually starting the story young , he is driven by power or
destiny to seek his fortunes through his arcane knowledge.
Raisltin - the young but powerful Master of Past and Present.
Sparrowhawk - also known as Ged, Wizard of Earthsea and master of Many names.
Elric - Last sorcerer emperor of Melnibone - the homeland of dragons.
3)Lady Wizards
Referred to as witches, fairy god mothers, enchantresses etc. lady wizards usually have
a very clear inclination towards good or evil and have very specific roles in the story
line.
The evil witch - You name it - Sleeping Beauty, Snow white and other childhood
stories - we all know them.
Fairy god mother - Same here.
Wicked witches of the east and west - Dorothy's most problematic encounters on the way to the Wizard.
Fin Raziel - Willow's companion whose magical abilities unfold and are used only at the
very end.
Queen Bavmorda - The formers life long enemy and the cause for all evil in the realm.
The White Witch - The children had to use the wardrobe to stop her from killing the
Lion.
Polgara - Not your average woman wizard but more of a woman with a typical male
wizard's responsibilities and some only a woman could take.
4) Others
strange wizards can be encountered around the world - fake wizards, modern wizards
and wizards per se.
The Wizard of Oz - a mysterious type, the search for whom has filled our childhood
with anticipation and delight.
The four brother-wizards from the great "Flight Of Dragons" film.
Emperor Palpatine - look at the Empire's leader and see a classical Evil Wizard.
Pug - A Magician, Great One, Wizard of two worlds, sorcerer ? He is all and more.