ab·ra·ca·dab·ra ( b r -k-db r)n. 1. A magical charm or incantation having the power to ward off disease or disaster. 2. Foolish or unintelligible talk. [Late Latin, magical formula.] Word History: "Abracadabra," says the magician, unaware that at one time the thing to do with the word was wear it, not say it. Abracadabra was a magic word, the letters of which were arranged in an inverted pyramid and worn as an amulet around the neck to protect the wearer against disease or trouble. One fewer letter appeared in each line of the pyramid, until only a remained to form the vertex of the triangle. As the letters disappeared, so supposedly did the disease or trouble. While magicians still use abracadabra in their performances, the word itself has acquired another sense, "foolish or unintelligible talk." |
abracadabra [ˌæbrəkəˈdæbrə]
interj
a spoken formula, used esp by conjurors
n
1. a word used in incantations, etc., considered to possess magic powers
2. gibberish; nonsense
[from Latin: magical word used in certain Gnostic writings, perhaps related to Greek Abraxas; see abraxas]
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
abracadabra - gibberish and nonsense Translations
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