Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web
Related Searches
Synonyms
Nearby Words

incantation

 - 5 dictionary results

in⋅can⋅ta⋅tion

  [in-kan-tey-shuhn]
Use incantation in a Sentence
–noun
1. the chanting or uttering of words purporting to have magical power.
2. the formula employed; a spell or charm.
3. magical ceremonies.
4. magic; sorcery.
5. repetitious wordiness used to conceal a lack of content; obfuscation: Her prose too often resorts to incantation.
Origin:
1350–1400; ME < LL incantātiōn- (s. of incantātiō), equiv. to incantāt(us) ptp. of incantāre to put a spell on, bewitch (see enchant, -ate 1 ) + -iōn- -ion

Related forms:
in⋅can⋅ta⋅tion⋅al, in⋅can⋅ta⋅to⋅ry  [in-kan-tuh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee] , adjective
in⋅can⋅ta⋅tor, noun

Synonyms:
4. witchcraft, black magic, wizardry.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To incantation
in·can·ta·tion   (ĭn'kān-tā'shən)   
n.  

  1. Ritual recitation of verbal charms or spells to produce a magic effect.

    1. A formula used in ritual recitation; a verbal charm or spell.

    2. A conventionalized utterance repeated without thought or aptness; a formula: the pious incantations of the administration.


[Middle English incantacioun, from Old French incantation, from Late Latin incantātiō, incantātiōn-, spell, from Latin incantātus, past participle of incantāre, to enchant; see enchant.]
in'can·ta'tion·al adj., in·can'ta·to'ry (-tə-tôr'ē, -tōr'ē) adj.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History

incantation 
1390, from O.Fr. incantation (13c.), from L. incantationem (nom. incantatio) "art of enchanting," from incantus, pp. of incantare "bewitch, charm," lit. "sing spells" (see enchantment).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Computing Dictionary

incantation
Any particularly arbitrary or obscure command that one must mutter at a system to attain a desired result. Not used of passwords or other explicit security features. Especially used of tricks that are so poorly documented that they must be learned from a wizard. "This compiler normally locates initialised data in the data segment, but if you mutter the right incantation they will be forced into text space."

The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing, © 1993-2007 Denis Howe
Cite This Source
Encyclopedia

incantation

words uttered in a set formula with magical intent. The correct recitation, often with accompanying gestures, is considered to unleash supernatural power. Some societies believe that incorrect recitation can not only nullify the magic but cause the death of the practitioner.

Learn more about incantation with a free trial on Britannica.com.

Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008. Encyclopedia Britannica Online.
Cite This Source
Search another word or see incantation on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us:
Partner Sites:
Ask AnswersEviteExpediaHotelsHotwireLife123LiveDailyMy Way