abracadabra

Definitions

1. 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.
2. Mumbo jumbo; obscure language or technicalities; jargon.

Equivalents

Examples

“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?”

“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.”

“I don’t know⟳ all the theoretical abracadabra about how it works, I’m only its pilot.”

“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.”

CEFR level