Crossword clues for incantation
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
The Collaborative International Dictionary
Incantation \In`can*ta"tion\, n. [L. incantatio, fr. incantare to chant a magic formula over one: cf. F. incantation. See Enchant.]
The act or process of using formulas sung or spoken, with occult ceremonies, for the purpose of raising spirits, producing enchantment, or affecting other magical results; enchantment. ``Mysterious ceremony and incantation.''
--Burke.A formula of words used as above.
The repetitive invoking of old sayings, or emitting a wordy discourse with little or no meaning, to avoid serious discussion; obfuscation; as, to defend one's views with empty incantations.
Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
late 14c., from Old French incantacion "spell, exorcism" (13c.), from Latin incantationem (nominative incantatio) "art of enchanting," noun of action from past participle stem of incantare "bewitch, charm," literally "sing spells" (see enchantment).
Wiktionary
n. 1 The act or process of using formulas and/or usually rhyming words, sung or spoken, with occult ceremonies, for the purpose of raising spirits, producing enchantment, or creating other magical results. 2 A formula of words used as above.
WordNet
n. a ritual recitation of words or sounds believed to have a magical effect [syn: conjuration]
Wikipedia
An incantation or enchantment is a charm or spell created using words. An incantation may take place during a ritual, either a hymn or prayer, and may invoke or praise a deity. In magic, occultism, shamanism, and witchcraft it is used with the intention of casting a spell on an object or a person. The term derives from Latin "incantare" (tr.), meaning "to chant (a magical spell) upon," from in- "into, upon" and cantare "to sing".
In medieval literature, folklore, fairy tales and modern fantasy fiction, enchantments (from the Old French "enchantement") are charms or spells. The term was loaned into English since around AD 1300. The corresponding native English term being " galdr" "song, spell". It has led to the terms "enchanter" and "enchantress", for those who use enchantments.
The weakened sense "delight" (compare the same development of "charm") is modern, first attested in 1593 ( OED).
Incantation is an American death metal band that was formed by John McEntee and Paul Ledney in 1989. They are one of the leaders in the New York death metal scene along with fellow bands Suffocation and Immolation, even though the band is currently located in Johnstown, Pennsylvania.
Incantation is notable for mixing widely varied tempos into their music, often playing slow, down-tuned passages similar to those performed by death/doom bands like Autopsy. To date the band has released eight full-length records, two live records, four EPs, two singles, three splits, one DVD, and three demos.
The band has seen many lineup changes in their 22-year history and guitarist John McEntee is the sole original member. Incantation first came to prominence with Onward to Golgotha and Mortal Throne of Nazarene, which features Craig Pillard on vocals. Following the release of the Forsaken Mourning of Angelic Anguish EP in 1997, Pillard departed Incantation and was replaced by Daniel Corchado of The Chasm. Corchado performed on one album, 1998's Diabolical Conquest, before departing. Vocalist Mike Saez performed on the next two albums, The Infernal Storm (2000) and Blasphemy (2002). Beginning with Decimate Christendom, guitarist and frontman John McEntee took on vocal responsibilities, a role that he continues to the present.
Incantation is a Super Nintendo Entertainment System platforming game released in 1996 by Titus Software.
Incantation are a musical group playing traditional tribal and other South American music. The band started in 1981 from a pool of musicians who were, at the time, playing all kinds of different types of music for the (then) Ballet Rambert, based in London. A new ballet was choreographed (called "Ghost Dances") about political oppression in South America, to the music of Inti-Illimani, the exiled Chilean folk group. The company preferred to use live musicians (rather than tapes) for performances, and six of the musicians volunteered.
Authentic instruments were procured, and some time was spent perfecting how to play them.
The show was a hit and before long the band was offered a recording contract. Incantation was chosen as the band's name, based on the word " Inca".
Members of the various incarnations of the band include Tony Hinnigan ( Scottish), Mike Taylor ( Irish), Forbes Henderson (English), Simon Rogers (English), Chris Swithinbank, and Chileans Claudia Figuerora, Sergio Avila and Mauricio Venegas. They achieved chart success in the UK in 1982 with the top twenty hit "Cacharpaya", and later contributed the traditional instruments (including pan pipes) to the soundtracks of the films, The Mission (1986), scored by Ennio Morricone, and A Handful of Dust (1988), scored by George Fenton.
An incantation is a formula of words sung or spoken during a ceremony or ritual.
- Merseburg Incantations, two medieval magic spells in Old High German
In popular culture:
- Incantation, a book written by Alice Hoffman.
- Incantation (band), a US death metal band
- Incantation (musical group), a group of British and South American music performers
- Incantation, a song by Loreena McKennitt, from her 2006 album An Ancient Muse
- Incantation, a 1996 album by contemporary Celtic, neopagan singer Sharon Knight
- Incantations (album), a 1978 music album by Mike Oldfield
- Incantations (composition), a 2008 percussion concerto by Einojuhani Rautavaara
- Pandemonic Incantations, a 1998 music album by Behemoth
- Incantations of the Apprentice, a song by progressive metal band Symphony X, from their 2002 album The Odyssey
- Incantation, a 1996 Super Nintendo Entertainment System video game
Usage examples of "incantation".
The visit to Alman had made physical demands on all of them, and Tenoctris had the effort of the incantations besides.
Guinalle heard you had seen an Elietimm priest raise the image of its owner from an artefact for the Aldabreshin, she worried at the notion like a dog with a bone until she had perfected the incantations.
Go back to your crucifix or your crucible and change your bleeping incantation.
Casting before him a cabbalistic incantation that smashed the etheric lattice of the window, and seemed to carry him with it, out of the pavilion he sprang, snatching up as he hurtled through a sword of honed steel from the bench.
I did the same, but I could not help feeling some regret at having engaged myself not to take advantage of the position before the night of the great incantation.
When the correct incantation was spoken, the one and only Great All-knowing Cumquat would start to glow, and at that moment it had to be picked and shortly after consumed or the power would be lost forever.
We can accept magic in these old tales, even to the incantations of Bobaran the White that swayed the waves of the sea so that Gaer, the son of Deirdre, was saved from the men of Lochlin.
The liches were already dead, but perhaps her own blood would give Meder the power he needed for his incantation.
The Yogi did a number of preparatory gesticulations, and spoke what sounded like solemn incantations, then parted his dhoti rags and unashamedly pulled out his linga, which was like a black-barked twig.
If he did not find the phylactery soon, he would have to rest, restudy his spellbooks, re-memorize the incantations that slipped from his fatigued mind one by one as he cast them.
She muttered her placatory charm, and tottered back into her cavern, where, amidst her herbs and incantations, she prepared to execute the orders of the Egyptian.
Aumlar ignored it, intent on puncing the first words of the incantation.
Rander of South-beach, who tried to banish the shapeshifter or conjure up something of his own, but Katherian was fighting his every incantation, and Rander was pretty clearly outmatched right from the start.
Rander of Southbeach, who tried to banish the shapeshifter or conjure up something of his own, but Katherian was fighting his every incantation, and Rander was pretty clearly outmatched right from the start.
I made all the proper incantations, swaddling her in a glamour of healing.