Abracadabras

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A magical phrase often invoked in performances of illusion or trickery, believed to possess supernatural powers, used to enchant or mystify audiences
2. A chant or incantation used in the context of magic that signifies transformation or the manifestation of fantastical events
3. A nonsensical expression popular in folklore and entertainment, associated with conjuring spells or creating an atmosphere of wonder

Etymology: "Abracadabras" is simply the plural of "abracadabra," so its history is that of the base word. The plural adds an "s" to form the regular English plural, and the noun has been used for the magic words themselves. The base word is a learned borrowing from Late Latin "abracadabra," a term that first appears in Latin sources of late antiquity, where it was used as a magical incantation. English took it up as a formal word with that same sense of a charm or spell, and it has kept the meaning of words said to have magical power.

Synonyms: incantations, spells