Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Charm
Charm
(chärm)
, Noun.
[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.]
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. Shakespeare
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. – Spell; incantation; conjuration; enchantment; fascination; attraction.
Charm
,Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Charmed
; p. pr. & vb. n.
Charming
.] 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! Shakespeare
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
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
Syn. - To fascinate; enchant; enrapture; captivate; bewitch; allure; subdue; delight; entice; transport.
Charm
,Verb.
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.
Webster 1828 Edition
Charm
CHARM
, n.1.
Words, characters or other things imagined to possess some occult or unintelligible power; hence, a magic power or spell, by which with the supposed assistance of the devil, witches and sorcerers have been supposed to do wonderful things. Spell; enchantment. Hence,2.
That which has power to subdue opposition, and gain the affections; that which can please irresistible; that which delights and attracts the heart; generally in the plural.The smiles of nature and the charms of art.
Good humor only teaches charms to last.
CHARM
, v.t.1.
To subdue or control by incantation or secret influence.I will send serpents among you - which will not be charmed. Jer. 8.
2.
To subdue by secret power, especially by that which pleases and delights the mind; to allay, or appease.Music the fiercest grief can charm.
3.
To give exquisite pleasure to the mind or senses; to delight.We were charmed with the conversation.
The aerial songster charms us with her melodious notes.
4.
To fortify with charms against evil.I have a charmed life, which must not yield.
5.
To make powerful by charms.6.
To summon by incantation.7.
To temper agreeably.CHARM
,Verb.
I.