incantation

noun an-kahn-tah-SYOHN Rare

Origin: From Latin 'incantatio', from 'incantare' (to sing spells over).

Also means

magic spell

Usage Note

Incantation describes a set of words chanted as a ritual or magic formula. It appears in literary and religious contexts, as well as in descriptions of shamanic or folk-magic practices. The related verb incanter exists but is rare; more common is prononcer une incantation.

Examples

"Le sorcier murmurait une incantation mystérieuse."

Natural Translation

The sorcerer was murmuring a mysterious incantation.

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