incantation
- the chanting or uttering of words purporting to have magical power.
- the formula employed; a spell or charm.
- magical ceremonies.
- magic; sorcery.
- repetitious wordiness used to conceal a lack of content; obfuscation: Her prose too often resorts to incantation.
Origin of incantation
Synonyms for incantation
See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.comRelated Words for incantation
hymn, enchantment, hocus-pocus, abracadabra, necromancy, chant, hoodoo, hex, witchcraft, charm, sorcery, formula, invocation, voodoo, rune, bewitchment, wizardry, conjuring, conjurationExamples from the Web for incantation
Contemporary Examples of incantation
It is hard to make out exactly what she is saying, but her words act almost like an incantation.
Historical Examples of incantation
The incantation that had never yet failed of its hated purpose was pronounced in vain.
ImogenWilliam Godwin
This door should only open to the incantation of "Taraporevala."
Jan and Her JobL. Allen Harker
No; this was the incantation reserved for souls athirst for fame, of virtue emulous.
The MemorabiliaXenophon
Had the Sirens only to utter this one incantation, and was every listener constrained to stay?
The MemorabiliaXenophon
By the command of Anu, Anatum, and Belit, recite the incantation.
The Religion of Babylonia and AssyriaMorris Jastrow
incantation
- ritual recitation of magic words or sounds
- the formulaic words or sounds used; a magic spell
Word Origin for incantation
Word Origin and History for incantation
late 14c., from Old French incantacion "spell, exorcism" (13c.), from Latin incantationem (nominative incantatio) "art of enchanting," noun of action from past participle stem of incantare "bewitch, charm," literally "sing spells" (see enchantment).