Cantrips

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A type of minor magical spell often associated with lighthearted or whimsical effects
2. Simple enchantments performed by a magician for entertainment or utility
3. Incantations or rituals that produce small, usually harmless effects in the realm of fantasy or folklore

Etymology: In Scots, "cantrip" meant a trick, a prank, or a sly piece of deceit. The magical sense grew from that idea of cunning sleight of hand, so a cantrip was originally a clever trick before it became a minor charm. The whimsy in the modern meaning reflects that playful, mischievous past. Where the word itself came from is uncertain. Scholars have proposed several possible sources, but none has been confirmed. It seems to have been recorded in Scotland before it spread into wider English use, and its later spread into fantasy writing and games gave it the small, light-hearted spell sense it has today.

Synonyms: tricks, pranks