abracadabra
See also: abra-cadabra
English
Etymology
From Late Latin abracadabra, a word used in magical writings, of uncertain origin. Relationships have been suggested with Abraxas (a Gnostic deity), and with various Aramaic or Hebrew terms עברא כדברא (avra kedavra, literally “what was said has come to pass”), עַבְדָא כְּדַברָא (avda kedavara, literally “what was said has been done”); ארבע-אחד-ארבע (arba-eḥad-arba, literally “four-one-four”),[1] but there is little supporting evidence.
Pronunciation
- Lua error in Module:parameters at line 360: Parameter 1 should be a valid language or etymology language code; the value "UK" is not valid. See WT:LOL and WT:LOL/E. IPA(key): /ˌabɹəkəˈdabɹə/
- Lua error in Module:parameters at line 360: Parameter 1 should be a valid language or etymology language code; the value "US" is not valid. See WT:LOL and WT:LOL/E. IPA(key): /ˌæ.bɹə.kəˈdæ.bɹə/
Audio (US, California): (file)
Noun
abracadabra (plural abracadabras)
- 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. [from 16th c.]
- 1851, Hugh A. Garland, quoting John Randolph of Roanoke, “The Virginia Convention—Every Change is Not Reform”, in The Life of John Randolph of Roanoke, volume II, New York: D. Appleton & Company, →OCLC, page 329:
- 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?
- 2012 August 28, Georgina Turner, The Guardian:
- 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.
- Mumbo-jumbo; obscure language or technicalities; jargon. [from 19th c.]
- I don’t know all the theoretical abracadabra about how it works, I’m only its pilot.
- 1971, Keith Thomas, Religion and the Decline of Magic, Folio Society 2012, page 335:
- 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.
Translations
use of term abracadabra
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mumbo-jumbo
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- The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables. See instructions at Wiktionary:Entry layout § Translations.
Translations to be checked
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Interjection
abracadabra
- Used to indicate that a magic trick or other illusion has been performed. [from 19th c.]
- Synonym: hey presto
Translations
used to indicate that a magic trick or other illusion has been performed
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Further reading
- “abracadabra”, in OneLook Dictionary Search.
References
French
Pronunciation
Interjection
abracadabra
Derived terms
Noun
abracadabra m (plural abracadabras)
- An unspecified magical formula.
- (historical) A mystical word from kabbalism.
Further reading
- “abracadabra”, in Trésor de la langue française informatisé [Digitized Treasury of the French Language], 2012.
Portuguese
Interjection
abracadabra
- abracadabra (used to indicate that a magic trick or other illusion has been performed)
Spanish
Interjection
Categories:
- English terms derived from Late Latin
- English 5-syllable words
- English terms with IPA pronunciation
- English terms with audio pronunciation
- English lemmas
- English nouns
- English countable nouns
- English terms with quotations
- English terms with usage examples
- English interjections
- en:Magic words
- French 5-syllable words
- French terms with IPA pronunciation
- French terms with audio pronunciation
- French lemmas
- French interjections
- French nouns
- French countable nouns
- French masculine nouns
- French terms with historical senses
- Portuguese lemmas
- Portuguese interjections