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

Other Word Forms

• incantational adjective
• incantatory adjective
• incantator 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

Chef Anne Burrell had a way of turning instruction into incantation.

From Salon

And, in a concession to modernity, as well as holding up feathers in a blessing for the King, the elder was reading his incantations from an iPhone.

From BBC

Now, it sounds more like a utopian incantation: read it aloud three times on a hill under moonlight and perhaps it will come true.

From Salon

Nuns dangling rosary beads, tourists and student priests were among those who joined the gentle incantation of the rosary in the Vatican.

From BBC

His words and imaginations were his incantations to the world, and to himself.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• enchantment 
• hymn