incantation

1. using formulas sung or spoken, with occult ceremonies, to achieve some magical result
2. a formula used in a ceremony to achieve some magical result
3. arbitrary or obscure command that is muttered at a system to attain a desired result. (tricks that are poorly documented they must be learned from someone else, a wizard)

incantation n.

Any particularly arbitrary or obscure command that one must mutter at a system to attain a desired result. Not used of passwords or other explicit security features. Especially used of tricks that are so poorly documented that they must be learned from a wizard. "This compiler normally locates initialized data in the data segment, but if you mutter the right incantation they will be forced into text space."

--The Jargon File version 4.3.1, ed. ESR, autonoded by rescdsk.

In`can*ta"tion (?), n. [L. incantatio, fr. incantare to chant a magic formula over one: cf. F. incantation. See Enchant.]

1.

The act or process of using formulas sung or spoken, with occult ceremonies, for the purpose of raising spirits, producing enchantment, or affecting other magical results; enchantment.

Burke.

2.

A formula of words used as above.

© Webster 1913.