An incantation is a set of special words used as magic, or the act of saying those words. In stories a witch mutters an incantation; in games you cast one.

An incantation is指的是 a set of special words used as magic一組當作魔法使用的特殊語句, or the act of saying those words或是唸出那些話的這個動作。In stories故事裡 a witch mutters an incantation女巫會喃喃唸出incantation; in games遊戲裡 you cast one你則是「施放」一個。

The word is a little old and bookish — everyday English often just says spell or magic words.

The word這個字 is a little old and bookish有點老派、有點書面 — everyday English often just says日常英文常常就直接說 spell or magic words spell或magic words。

Though actually, people also use it with a smile for any phrase said again and again as if it had power: a coach's incantation before a match, a politician's favourite line. That is loose, but common.

Though actually不過, people also use it with a smile人們也會帶著點笑意用它 for any phrase said again and again在任何一再重複的話上 as if it had power彷彿它有魔力: a coach's incantation before a match教練賽前的incantation, a politician's favourite line或政治人物最愛講的那句話。That is這樣用 loose不精確, but common但很常見。

It comes from Middle English incantacioun, from Old French incantation, from Latin incantatio — the same family as enchant, to put someone under a spell with words.

It comes from它來自 Middle English incantacioun中古英文的incantacioun, from Old French incantation再往上是古法文的incantation, from Latin incantatio再往上是拉丁文的incantatio — the same family as enchant跟enchant是同一個字源家族, to put someone under a spell with words也就是用話語把人下咒。