charm

n. [ F. charme, fr. L. carmen song, verse, incantation, for casmen, akin to Skr. çasman, çasā, a laudatory song, from a root signifying to praise, to sing. ] 1. A melody; a song. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

With charm of earliest birds. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

Free liberty to chant our charms at will. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A word or combination of words sung or spoken in the practice of magic; a magical combination of words, characters, etc.; an incantation. [ 1913 Webster ]

My high charms work. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. That which exerts an irresistible power to please and attract; that which fascinates; any alluring quality. [ 1913 Webster ]

Charms strike the sight, but merit wins the soul. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

The charm of beauty's powerful glance. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Anything worn for its supposed efficacy to the wearer in averting ill or securing good fortune. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. Any small decorative object worn on the person, as a seal, a key, a silver whistle, or the like. Bunches of charms are often worn at the watch chain. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. (Physics) a property of certain quarks which may take the value of +1, -1 or 0. [ PJC ]

Syn. -- Spell; incantation; conjuration; enchantment; fascination; attraction. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Charmed p. pr. & vb. n. Charming. ] [ Cf. F. charmer. See Charm, n. ] 1. To make music upon; to tune. [ Obs. & R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Here we our slender pipes may safely charm. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To subdue, control, or summon by incantation or supernatural influence; to affect by magic. [ 1913 Webster ]

No witchcraft charm thee! Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To subdue or overcome by some secret power, or by that which gives pleasure; to allay; to soothe. [ 1913 Webster ]

Music the fiercest grief can charm. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. To attract irresistibly; to delight exceedingly; to enchant; to fascinate. [ 1913 Webster ]

They, on their mirth and dance
Intent, with jocund music charm his ear. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. To protect with, or make invulnerable by, spells, charms, or supernatural influences; as, a charmed life. [ 1913 Webster ]

I, in my own woe charmed,
Could not find death. Shak.

Syn. - To fascinate; enchant; enrapture; captivate; bewitch; allure; subdue; delight; entice; transport. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. 1. To use magic arts or occult power; to make use of charms. [ 1913 Webster ]

The voice of charmers, charming never so wisely. Ps. lviii. 5. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To act as, or produce the effect of, a charm; to please greatly; to be fascinating. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To make a musical sound. [ Obs. ] Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

adj. 1. same as captivated.
Syn. -- captivated. [ WordNet 1.5 +PJC ]

2. filled with wonder and delight.
Syn. -- beguiled, captivated, delighted, enthralled, entranced. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

‖n. [ Heb. ] A fruitful field. [ 1913 Webster ]

Libanus shall be turned into charmel, and charmel shall be esteemed as a forest. Isa. xxix. 17 (Douay version). [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. One who charms, or has power to charm; one who uses the power of enchantment; a magician. Deut. xviii. 11. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. One who delights and attracts the affections. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. An enchantress. Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Abounding with charms. “His charmful lyre.” Cowley. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Pleasing the mind or senses in a high degree; delighting; fascinating; attractive. [ 1913 Webster ]

How charming is divine philosophy. Milton.

Syn. - Enchanting; bewitching; captivating; enrapturing; alluring; fascinating; delightful; pleasurable; graceful; lovely; amiable; pleasing; winning.

-- Charm"ing*ly, adv. -- Charm"ing*ness, n. [ 1913 Webster ]