incantationn.
/ɪnkanˈteɪʃən/ a. The use of a formula of words spoken or chanted to produce a magical effect; the utterance of a spell or charm; more widely, The use of magical ceremonies or arts; magic, sorcery, enchantment.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the supernatural > the occult > sorcery, witchcraft, or magic > enchantment or casting spells > [noun] > spell > incantation
incantation1390
sayinga1400
incanting1546
carmination1620
1390 J. Gower Confessio Amantis III. 45 With nigromaunce he wolde assaile To make his incantacion.
1527 L. Andrewe tr. H. Brunschwig Vertuose Boke Distyllacyon sig. Dj It is good dronke for them that hath eaten or hath in his body any incantacyon.
?1624 G. Chapman tr. Hymn to Hermes in tr. Crowne Homers Wks. 54 Thy vertue shall be knowne Gainst great-yll-causing incantation, To serue as for a Lance, Or Ammulet.
1760 E. Burke Ess. Abridgm. Eng. Hist. 19 Medicine was always joined with magic; no remedy was administered without mysterious ceremony and incantation.
1862 J. H. Burton Book-hunter (1863) 315 Like the demons of old summoned by incantation.
b. with plural. An instance of this; concrete a magical formula chanted or spoken, or (more widely) any act or ceremony performed, to produce a magical effect; a spell, charm.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the supernatural > the occult > sorcery, witchcraft, or magic > enchantment or casting spells > [noun] > spell
galderOE
lede-runec1000
sigalderc1000
craftOE
lede spelc1275
charma1300
conjurisonc1380
conjurationa1398
incantation1412
saunter1562
blessing1572
fascination1572
spell1579
lot1625
cantation1656
cantion1656
take1678
jynx1693
cantrip1719
pishogue1829
brujería1838
paternoster1880
goofer1887
runea1935
1412–20 J. Lydgate tr. Hist. Troy i. ii. (Digby 230) lf. 31/1 Oethes þe Kyng wt ful greet laboure Made kepe it by incantaciouns.
a1535 T. More Let. Impugning J. Fryth K ij b To stoppe euery good mannes eares from suche vngracyouse incantacyons as thys mannes reasons be.
1596 W. Warner Albions Eng. (rev. ed.) xi. lxviii. 288 Loues Incantations so did he with Malice such defie.
a1682 Sir T. Browne Let. to Friend (1690) 4 Amulets, Spells, Sigils, and Incantations, practised in other Diseases.
1774 T. Pennant Tour Scotl. 1772 15 The old women, when they undertake a cure, mumble certain rhythmical incantations.
a1854 H. Reed Lect. Eng. Lit. (1878) vi. 195 The magic of the dark incantations of Shakespeare's witchcraft.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1900; most recently modified version published online September 2021).
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