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abracadabra
ab·ra·ca·dab·ra / ˌabrəkəˈdabrə/ • interj. a word said by magicians when performing a magic trick. • n. inf. an implausibly easy effort to achieve a seemingly difficult feat: a little abracadabra, and you've got chocolate mousse. ∎ language, typically in the form of gibberish, used to give the impression of arcane knowledge or power. |
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"abracadabra." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "abracadabra." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-abracadabra.html "abracadabra." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-abracadabra.html |
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abracadabra
abracadabra , magical formula used by the Gnostics (see Gnosticism ) to invoke the aid of benevolent spirits to ward off disease and affliction. It is supposed to be derived from the abraxas, a word that was engraved on gems and amulets or was variously worn as a protective charm. Handed down through the Middle Ages, the abracadabra gradually lost its occult significance, and its meaning was extended to cover any hocus-pocus. |
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"abracadabra." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "abracadabra." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-abracada.html "abracadabra." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-abracada.html |
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abracadabra
abracadabra a word said by conjurors when performing a magic trick. The term is recorded from the late 17th century, as a mystical word engraved and used as a charm against illness; it comes from Latin (from a Greek base), and is first recorded in a 2nd-century poem.
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Cite this article
ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "abracadabra." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "abracadabra." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-abracadabra.html ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "abracadabra." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-abracadabra.html |
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abracadabra
abracadabra
•jarrah, para, Tara
•abracadabra, Aldabra
•Alhambra • Vanbrugh
•Cassandra, Sandra
•Aphra, Biafra
•Niagara, pellagra, Viagra
•bhangra, Ingres
•Capra • Cleopatra
•mantra, tantra, yantra
•Basra
•Asmara, Bukhara, carbonara, Carrara, cascara, Connemara, Damara, Ferrara, Gemara, Guadalajara, Guevara, Honiara, Lara, marinara, mascara, Nara, Sahara, Samara, samsara, samskara, shikara, Tamara, tiara, Varah, Zara
•candelabra, macabre, sabra
•Alexandra • Agra • fiacre
•Chartres, Montmartre, Sartre, Sinatra, Sumatra
•Shastra • Maharashtra • Le Havre
•gurdwara
•Berra, error, Ferrer, sierra, terror
•zebra • ephedra • Porto Alegre
•belles-lettres, Petra, raison d'être, tetra
•Electra, plectra, spectra
•Clytemnestra • extra
•chèvre, Sèvres
•Ezra
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Cite this article
"abracadabra." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "abracadabra." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-abracadabra.html "abracadabra." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-abracadabra.html |
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ABRACADABRA
ABRACADABRA (ˌæbrəkəˈdæbrə) Abbreviations and Related Acronyms Associated with Defense, Astronautics, Business, and Radio-electronics (publication of Raytheon Company, Lexington, USA)
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Cite this article
FRAN ALEXANDER , PETER BLAIR , JOHN DAINTITH , ALICE GRANDISON , VALERIE ILLINGWORTH , ELIZABETH MARTIN , ANNE STIBBS , JUDY PEARSALL , and SARA TULLOCH. "ABRACADABRA." The Oxford Dictionary of Abbreviations. 1998. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. FRAN ALEXANDER , PETER BLAIR , JOHN DAINTITH , ALICE GRANDISON , VALERIE ILLINGWORTH , ELIZABETH MARTIN , ANNE STIBBS , JUDY PEARSALL , and SARA TULLOCH. "ABRACADABRA." The Oxford Dictionary of Abbreviations. 1998. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O25-ABRACADABRA.html FRAN ALEXANDER , PETER BLAIR , JOHN DAINTITH , ALICE GRANDISON , VALERIE ILLINGWORTH , ELIZABETH MARTIN , ANNE STIBBS , JUDY PEARSALL , and SARA TULLOCH. "ABRACADABRA." The Oxford Dictionary of Abbreviations. 1998. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O25-ABRACADABRA.html |
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