French word

marabouter

Pronunciation

IPA/maʁabute/

Meaning

  • verbcast a spell on ___

Example

Tu penses qu'il m'a marabouté ?

Do you think he cast a spell on me?

Illustration for marabouter (cast a spell on ___)

More examples

Il dit qu'il peut marabouter quelqu'un en secret.

He says he can secretly cast a spell on someone.

Core concept

A person is affected as if by magic, either cursed or drawn into bewildered fascination.

Common phrases

  • se faire marabouter

    have a spell cast on oneself

  • marabouter quelqu'un

    cast a spell on someone

Similar words

charmer: To win someone's favor or interest through appealing words or behavior.
séduire: To attract someone romantically through words or behavior.
attirer: To draw someone's attention or interest.

Definition in French

Jeter un sort sur quelqu'un ou, au registre familier, charmer quelqu'un au point de le troubler.

Word origin

French created marabouter from marabout, a word borrowed through North African French from Arabic murābiṭ, and added the regular verb ending -er.

Usage tips

  • Marabouter is familiar in register, so ensorceler or fasciner may suit neutral or formal prose better, depending on the intended sense.

Other meanings

  • hexverb
  • charmverb

Opposites

  • exorciserdrive out demonsverb

Related words

  • maraboutsorcerernoun

Word lists with this word