Hypertext Webster Gateway: "charm"

From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)

Charm \Charm\, n. [F. charme, fr. L. carmen song, verse,
incantation, for casmen, akin to Skr. [,c]asman, [,c]as[=a],
a laudatory song, from a root signifying to praise, to sing.]
1. A melody; a song. [Obs.]

With charm of earliest birds. --Milton.

Free liberty to chant our charms at will. --Spenser.

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

My high charms work. --Shak.

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

Charms strike the sight, but merit wins the soul.
--Pope.

The charm of beauty's powerful glance. --Milton.

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

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.

Syn: Syn. - Spell; incantation; conjuration; enchantment;
fascination; attraction.

From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)

Charm \Charm\, v. i.
1. To use magic arts or occult power; to make use of charms.

The voice of charmers, charming never so wisely.
--Ps. lviii.
5.

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

3. To make a musical sound. [Obs.] --Milton.

From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)

Charm \Charm\, 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.]

Here we our slender pipes may safely charm.
--Spenser.

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

No witchcraft charm thee! --Shak.

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

Music the fiercest grief can charm. --Pope.

4. To attract irresistibly; to delight exceedingly; to
enchant; to fascinate.

They, on their mirth and dance Intent, with jocund
music charm his ear. --Milton.

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

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

Syn: Syn. - To fascinate; enchant; enrapture; captivate;
bewitch; allure; subdue; delight; entice; transport.

From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)

charm
n 1: attractiveness that interests or pleases or stimulates [syn:
{appeal}, {appealingness}]
2: a verbal formula believed to have magical force; "he
whispered a spell as he moved his hands"; "inscribed
around its base is a charm in Balinese" [syn: {spell}, {magic
spell}]
3: something believed to bring good luck [syn: {good luck charm}]
v 1: attract; cause to be enamored; "She captured all the men's
hearts" [syn: {capture}, {enamour}, {trance}, {catch}, {becharm},
{enamor}, {captivate}, {beguile}, {fascinate}, {bewitch},
{entrance}, {enchant}]
2: control by magic spells, as by practicing witchcraft [syn: {becharm}]
3: protect through supernatural powers or charms
4: induce into action by using one's charm; "She charmed him
into giving her all his money" [syn: {influence}, {tempt}]


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