incantation

[in-kan-tey-shuhn]

noun

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

1350–1400; Middle English < Late Latin incantātiōn- (stem of incantātiō), equivalent to incantāt(us) past participle of incantāre to put a spell on, bewitch (see enchant, -ate¹) + -iōn- -ion

Related formsin·can·ta·tion·al, in·can·ta·to·ry

[in-kan-tuh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee] /ɪnˈkæn təˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i/, adjectivein·can·ta·tor, noun

Synonyms for incantation

4. witchcraft, black magic, wizardry.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for incantatory

Historical Examples of incantatory

He conducts this ceremony with the greatest solemnity, occasionally pronouncing these incantatory words, "Plate or shell, sah?"
Physiology of The Opera
John H. Swaby (AKA "Scrici")
I then perceived for the first time in my life the mysterious, incantatory, supernatural powers of great eloquence.
The Wrack of the Storm
Maurice Maeterlinck

British Dictionary definitions for incantatory

incantatory

adjective

relating to or having the characteristics of an incantation

incantation

noun

ritual recitation of magic words or sounds

the formulaic words or sounds used; a magic spell

Derived Formsincantational, adjective

Word Origin for incantation

C14: from Late Latin incantātiō an enchanting, from incantāre to repeat magic formulas, from Latin, from in- ² + cantāre to sing; see enchant

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for incantatory

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).