abracadabra









abracadabra


noun

  1. a mystical word or expression used in incantations, on amulets, etc., as a magical means of warding off misfortune, harm, or illness.
  2. any charm or incantation using nonsensical or supposedly magical words.
  3. meaningless talk; gibberish; nonsense.

interjection

  1. a spoken formula, used esp by conjurors

noun

  1. a word used in incantations, etc, considered to possess magic powers
  2. gibberish; nonsense

magical formula, 1690s, from Latin (Q. Severus Sammonicus, 2c.), from Late Greek Abraxas, cabalistic or gnostic name for the supreme god, and thus a word of power. It was written out in a triangle shape and worn around the neck to ward off sickness, etc. Another magical word, from a mid-15c. writing, was ananizapta.

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