cantrip

noun

can·​trip ˈkan-trəp How to pronounce cantrip (audio)
1
chiefly Scotland : a witch's trick : spell
2
chiefly British : hocus-pocus sense 2

Word History

Etymology

probably alteration of caltrop

First Known Use

1719, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of cantrip was in 1719

Dictionary Entries Near cantrip

Cite this Entry

“Cantrip.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cantrip. Accessed 10 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on cantrip

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!