Definition of "incantation" []

• Ritual recitation of verbal charms or spells to produce a magic effect. (noun)
• A formula used in ritual recitation; a verbal charm or spell. (noun)
• A conventionalized utterance repeated without thought or aptness; a formula: the pious incantations of the administration. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "If one character, one pause, of the incantation is not strictly in proper form, the magic doesn't work."
• "That said, I do think that the other side is silly too – these forms of ceremonial deism are meaningless (and indeed, devalue Christianity by making it into a rote incantation, which is fine with me)."
• "That said, I do think that the other side is silly too– these forms of ceremonial deism are meaningless and indeed, devalue Christianity by making it into a rote incantation, which is fine with me."