abracadabra
Use Abracadabra in a sentence
rə noun
1.
a mystical word or expression used in incantations, on amulets, etc., as a magical means of warding off misfortune, harm, or illness.
2.
any charm or incantation using nonsensical or supposedly magical words.
3.
meaningless talk; gibberish; nonsense.
Origin:
1690–1700; < Late Latin, probably < Late Greek, perhaps reflecting recitation of the initial letters of the alphabet; cf. abecedary
1690–1700; < Late Latin, probably < Late Greek, perhaps reflecting recitation of the initial letters of the alphabet; cf. abecedary
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Link To abracadabra
Collins
World English Dictionary
abracadabra (ˌæbrəkəˈdæbrə) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —interj | |
| 1. | a spoken formula, used esp by conjurors |
| —n | |
| 2. | a word used in incantations, etc, considered to possess magic powers |
| 3. | gibberish; nonsense |
| [C17: from Latin: magical word used in certain Gnostic writings, perhaps related to Greek Abraxas; see | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
00:10
Abracadabra
is always a great word to know.
So is quincunx. Does it mean:
| a scrap or morsel of food left at a meal. |
| an arrangement of five objects, as trees, in a square or rectangle, one at each corner and one in the middle. |
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
abracadabra
magical formula, 1690s, from L. (Q. Severus Sammonicus, 2c.), from Late Gk. Abraxas, cabalistic or gnostic name for the supreme god, and thus a word of power. It was written out in a triangle shape and worn around the neck to ward off sickness, etc.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Example sentences
It's got lots of entries for inquisitive younglings, from abracadabra to zombies.
When it comes to an extended day trip, then abracadabra, you can expand it and get more into the main compartment.
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