(n.) A mystical word or collocation of letters written as in the figure. Worn on an amulet it was supposed to ward off fever. At present the word is used chiefly in jest to denote something without meaning; jargon.

abracadabra charm conjurement escamotage evocation exorcisation exorcism exsufflation hanky-panky hocus-pocus hokey-pokey incantation invocation jiggery-pokery jugglery juggling legerdemain magic formula magic words monkey business mumbo jumbo open sesame prestidigitation rune sleight of hand trickery