abracadabra

noun

No English definition recorded for this entry.

Pronunciation: /ˌæbɹəkəˈdæbɹə/

Etymology: Etymology tree Late Latin abracadabralbor. English abracadabra Learned borrowing from Late Latin abracadabra.

Used to indicate that a magic trick or other illusion has been performed.
“Next, the conjuror filled a glass with water from a big jug and then covered the tumbler with a cloth. "Abracadabra," he cried and crumpled the cloth.”

Etymology: Etymology tree Late Latin abracadabralbor. English abracadabra Learned borrowing from Late Latin abracadabra.

A use of the mystical term ‘abracadabra’, supposed to work as part of a healing charm or a magical spell; any spell or incantation making use of the word.
“Where is the necessity of this provision in the Constitution? […] Can anyone believe that we, by any amendments of ours, by any of our scribbling on that parchment, by any amulet, any legerdemain—charm—Abrecadabra—of ours can prevent our sons from doing the same thing—that is, from doing as they please, just as we are doing as we please? It is impossible. Who can bind posterity?”
“With a quiet bank holiday afternoon to fill, the Mill yesterday dug out the old magic kit, brushed the cobwebs off its top hat and practiced a few abracadabras.”
Arcane and obscure language of occult rituals or mystical practices.
“We made no comment but even Sandra herself could see how ridiculous all this abracadabra must sound to a listener.”
“Astrology was not specifically banned in the statutes against witchcraft, but so long as its technicalities remained abracadabra to the lay public there was always a risk that the practitioner might find himself arrested for sorcery.”
Mumbo jumbo; obscure language or technicalities; jargon.
“I don’t know all the theoretical abracadabra about how it works, I’m only its pilot.”