WordNet Dictionary
Webster's 1913 Dictionary\In`can*ta"tion\, n. [L. incantatio, fr. incantare
to chant a magic formula over one: cf. F. incantation. See
{Enchant}.]
1. 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.
2. A formula of words used as above.
Computing DictionaryAny particularly arbitrary or obscure command that one must mutter at a system to attain a desired result. Not used of passwords or other explicit security features. Especially used of tricks that are so poorly documented that they must be learned from a wizard. "This compiler normally locates initialised data in the data segment, but if you mutter the right incantation they will be forced into text space."
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