incantation
[ in-kan-tey-shuhn ]
/ ˌɪn kænˈteɪ ʃən /
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.
Words nearby incantation
incalescent, incandesce, incandescence, incandescent, incandescent lamp, incantation, incantatory, incapable, incapacitant, incapacitate, incapacitated
Origin of incantation
SYNONYMS FOR incantation
OTHER WORDS FROM incantation
in·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, nounDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
Example sentences from the Web for 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 (1 of 2)
incantatory
/ (ɪnˈkæntətrɪ) /
adjective
relating to or having the characteristics of an incantation
British Dictionary definitions for incantatory (2 of 2)
incantation
/ (ˌɪnkænˈteɪʃən) /
noun
ritual recitation of magic words or sounds
the formulaic words or sounds used; a magic spell
Derived forms of incantation
incantational, adjectiveWord 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
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