incantare

Incantare is a verb with roots in Latin and continued use in Italian. In Latin, incantare means to utter an incantation or to enchant by chanting, a sense closely tied to magical or ritual speech. The word is formed from in- plus cantare (to sing), and the related noun incantatio gives English incantation. In Latin texts, incantare is used in the context of charms, spells, and ritual utterances.

In modern Italian, incantare is a regular first-conjugation verb meaning to enchant, to charm, or to cast a spell. It can be used both literally, as in performing a spell or captivating someone with magical appeal, and figuratively, such as winning over an audience or captivating a gaze. The participio passato is incantato, and the noun form incanto denotes enchantment or a spell. Related terms include incantatore (enchanter) and incantesimo (spell or charm). The adjective incantevole describes something charming or enchanting in a more aesthetic sense.

Cultural usage and language notes: incantare is common in fantasy literature, games, and media to describe spellcasting or the effect of magical performances. In this context, it is often paired with the noun for a spell, incantesimo, or with terms for magical effects. The word has influenced related terms in other Romance languages and appears in discussions of folklore, magic, and romance-language lexicons. In English-language contexts, incantare is usually encountered as an Italian word or within discussions of Latin etymology, while the English cognate incantation derives from the same Latin root.