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.

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

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/, adjective in·can·ta·tor, noun

Example sentences from the Web for incantation

British Dictionary definitions for incantation

incantation
/ (ˌɪnkænˈteɪʃən) /

noun

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

Derived forms of incantation

incantational, 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