incantation

[ in-kan-tey-shuhn ]

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.

   Synonyms: wizardry, black magic, witchcraft

5. repetitious wordiness used to conceal a lack of content; obfuscation:

   Her prose too often resorts to incantation.

incantation

/ ˌɪnkænˈteɪʃən /

noun

1. ritual recitation of magic words or sounds
2. the formulaic words or sounds used; a magic spell

Derived Forms

• ˌincanˈtational, adjective

Other Words From

• incan·tation·al in·can·ta·to·ry [in-, kan, -t, uh, -tawr-ee, -tohr-ee], adjective
• incan·tator noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of incantation¹

1350–1400; Middle English < Late Latin incantātiōn- (stem of incantātiō ), equivalent to incantāt ( us ) past participle of incantāre to put a spell on, bewitch ( enchant, -ate ¹ ) + -iōn- -ion

Word History and Origins

Origin of incantation¹

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

Example Sentences

His voice, like a conjurer’s incantation, stirs the embers of rage, mustering both a conviction and devotion that consumes both logic and restraint.

From Salon

She had long been suspicious of folk superstitions and of medicine men who chanted incantations over young women to drive out what they believed were evil spirits.

From New York Times

All these "thoughts and prayers" are now worship words and incantations to summon Moloch.

From Salon

His music ignored genre boundaries, and his singing often sounded like shamanic incantations in an invented language.

From New York Times

Part 1, “Acknowledgment,” features a plodding incantation, first set by Jimmy Garrison’s bass, then played by the saxophone, then intoned in Coltrane’s husky voice: “A love supreme. A love supreme.”

From New York Times

Related Words

• enchantment
• hymn