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abracadabra

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abracadabra

 

  3  definitions  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Abracadabra  \Ab`ra*ca*dab"ra\,  n.  [L.  Of  unknown  origin.] 
  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. 
 
  From  WordNet  r  1.6  [wn]: 
 
  abracadabra 
  n  :  gibberish  and  nonsense 
 
  From  THE  DEVIL'S  DICTIONARY  ((C)1911  Released  April  15  1993)  [devils]: 
 
  ABRACADABRA. 
 
  By  _Abracadabra_  we  signify 
  An  infinite  number  of  things 
  'Tis  the  answer  to  What?  and  How?  and  Why? 
  And  Whence?  and  Whither?  --  a  word  whereby 
  The  Truth  (with  the  comfort  it  brings) 
  Is  open  to  all  who  grope  in  night, 
  Crying  for  Wisdom's  holy  light. 
 
  Whether  the  word  is  a  verb  or  a  noun 
  Is  knowledge  beyond  my  reach. 
  I  only  know  that  'tis  handed  down 
  From  sage  to  sage, 
  From  age  to  age  -- 
  An  immortal  part  of  speech! 
 
  Of  an  ancient  man  the  tale  is  told 
  That  he  lived  to  be  ten  centuries  old 
  In  a  cave  on  a  mountain  side 
  (True,  he  finally  died.) 
  The  fame  of  his  wisdom  filled  the  land, 
  For  his  head  was  bald,  and  you'll  understand 
  His  beard  was  long  and  white 
  And  his  eyes  uncommonly  bright. 
 
  Philosophers  gathered  from  far  and  near 
  To  sit  at  his  feat  and  hear  and  hear, 
  Though  he  never  was  heard 
  To  utter  a  word 
  But  "_Abracadabra,  abracadab_, 
  _Abracada,  abracad_, 
  _Abraca,  abrac,  abra,  ab!_" 
  'Twas  all  he  had 
  'Twas  all  they  wanted  to  hear,  and  each 
  Made  copious  notes  of  the  mystical  speech, 
  Which  they  published  next  -- 
  A  trickle  of  text 
  In  the  meadow  of  commentary. 
  Mighty  big  books  were  these 
  In  a  number,  as  leaves  of  trees; 
  In  learning,  remarkably  --  very! 
 
  He's  dead, 
  As  I  said 
  And  the  books  of  the  sages  have  perished, 
  But  his  wisdom  is  sacredly  cherished. 
  In  _Abracadabra_  it  solemnly  rings, 
  Like  an  ancient  bell  that  forever  swings. 
  O,  I  love  to  hear 
  That  word  make  clear 
  Humanity's  General  Sense  of  Things 
  Jamrach  Holobom




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