abracadabra
/ˌæbrəkəˈdæbrə/
interjection
Origin
Aramaic
avra kehdavra — I create as I speak
Overview
Meaning Now
- A word used as a magical formula or incantation by stage magicians.
- A term used to suggest a sudden, inexplicable, or seemingly miraculous occurrence.
Language path
Aramaic → Greek → Latin → English
Earliest form
abracadabra
Earliest period
2nd century AD
Journey
The word was famously prescribed by the Roman physician Quintus Serenus Sammonicus in his 'Liber Medicinalis'. Patients were instructed to wear an amulet containing the word written in a triangular shape, which was believed to 'diminish' the fever as the word shortened with each line, eventually leaving only the letter 'A'.
Evolution
- 2nd Century, Roman Empire
abracadabra
“A medical amulet incantation for fever”
Instructed to be written on parchment in a triangle, removing one letter at a time.
- 17th Century, Europe
abracadabra
“General magical word”
Transition from medical charm to general stage performance.
Connections
Related words
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Related to abracadabra
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.