n. 1. Ritual recitation of verbal charms or spells to produce a magic effect. 2. a. A formula used in ritual recitation; a verbal charm or spell. b. A conventionalized utterance repeated without thought or aptness; a formula: the pious incantations of the administration. [Middle English incantacioun, from Old French incantation, from Late Latin incantātiō, incantātiōn-, spell, from Latin incantātus, past participle of incantāre, to enchant; see ENCHANT.] in′can·tation·al adj. in·canta·to′ry (-tə-tôr′ē) adj. |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.