abracadabra
pronunciation
How to pronounce abracadabra in British English:
UK [ˌæbrəkəˈdæbrə]
How to pronounce abracadabra in American English:
US [ˌæbrəkəˈdæbrə]
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- Noun:
- gibberish and nonsense
Word Origin
- abracadabra
- abracadabra: [16] This magical charm reached English, probably via French, from Greek abrasadabra (the c in the English word arose from a misinterpretation of the c in the original Greek word, which in the Greek alphabet stands for s). It seems to have originated (perhaps in the 3rd century AD) as a cabalistic word of the Basilidians, a Gnostic sect of Alexandria, and was probably based on Abraxas, the name of their supreme deity.
- abracadabra
- magical formula, 1690s, from Latin (Q. Severus Sammonicus, 2c.), from Late Greek Abraxas, cabalistic or gnostic name for the supreme god, and thus a word of power. It was written out in a triangle shape and worn around the neck to ward off sickness, etc. Another magical word, from a mid-15c. writing, was ananizapta.
Example
- 1. Abracadabra I will cast a ......
- 2. The magic word " abracadabra " was originally intended for the specific purpose of curing hay fever .
- 3. The magician waved his magic wand , cried ' abracadabra ' , and pulled a white rabbit out of his hat .