mutter incantations; talk to oneself
Meanings
2 senses · 6 examplesverb
to mutter incantations or prayers; to chant spells (as superstitious people did in old times)
archaicOriginally described superstitious people quietly chanting spells or prayers. Often has a mysterious or religious connotation.
That Taoist priest stood before the altar muttering incantations.
In the old days, witches often pretended to communicate with ghosts and gods by muttering incantations.
Show 1 more exampleShow fewer examples
He closed his eyes and muttered under his breath, as if performing some kind of ritual.
verb
to talk to oneself incessantly; to mutter continuously
Modern usage referring to someone who keeps talking to themselves, often implying absent-mindedness, eccentricity, or being deep in thought.
He walked along muttering to himself; who knows what he was saying.
That old man sat on the park bench talking to himself, as if recalling past events.
Show 1 more exampleShow fewer examples
Before exams, he always liked to mutter formulas under his breath while memorizing them.