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incantation - 8 dictionary results

in⋅can⋅ta⋅tion

  [in-kan-tey-shuhn]
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–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.
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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.
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Incantation

In`can*ta"tion\, n. [L. incantatio, fr. incantare to chant a magic formula over one: cf. F. incantation. See Enchant.]

1. The act or process of using formulas sung or spoken, with occult ceremonies, for the purpose of raising spirits, producing enchantment, or affecting other magical results; enchantment. "Mysterious ceremony and incantation." --Burke.

2. A formula of words used as above.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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Language Translation for : incantation
Spanish: sortilegio, encantamiento,
German: die Beschwörung,
Japanese: おまじない
More Translations »

incantation

n. 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 initialized data in the data segment, but if you mutter the right incantation they will be forced into text space."

spell

n. Syn. {incantation}.
Jargon File 4.2.0
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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
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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
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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.

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Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008. Encyclopedia Britannica Online.
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