Definition of CANTRIP

cantrip

Meanings

Plural: cantrips

Noun

  • A spell or incantation; a trifling magic trick.
  • A wilful piece of trickery or mischief.
  • A minor spell, typically one that can be cast without preparation.

Origin / Etymology

From Middle Scots cantrip, cantrap (“a magic charm; a trick”). Further origin obscure, but likely a corruption of Scottish Gaelic canntaireachd (identical to Irish cantaireacht), referring to a system of musical notation consisting of a series of otherwise meaningless syllables memorised by pipers in learning their tunes; this was then used similarly to abracadabra. Regardless of details, ultimately derived from Latin cantō (“to sing, chant, play an instrument”).

Scrabble Score: 11

cantrip is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
cantrip is a valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
cantrip is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 14

cantrip is a valid Words With Friends word