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Charm   /tʃɑrm/   Listen
noun
Charm  n.  
1.
A melody; a song. (Obs.) "With charm of earliest birds." "Free liberty to chant our charms at will."
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."
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." "The charm of beauty's powerful glance."
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.
6.
(Physics) A property of certain quarks which may take the value of +1, -1 or 0.
Synonyms: Spell; incantation; conjuration; enchantment; fascination; attraction.


verb
Charm  v. t.  (past & past part. charmed; pres. part. charming)  
1.
To make music upon; to tune. (Obs. & R.) "Here we our slender pipes may safely charm."
2.
To subdue, control, or summon by incantation or supernatural influence; to affect by magic. "No witchcraft charm thee!"
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."
4.
To attract irresistibly; to delight exceedingly; to enchant; to fascinate. "They, on their mirth and dance Intent, with jocund music charm his ear."
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."
Synonyms: Syn. - To fascinate; enchant; enrapture; captivate; bewitch; allure; subdue; delight; entice; transport.


Charm  v. i.  
1.
To use magic arts or occult power; to make use of charms. "The voice of charmers, charming never so wisely."
2.
To act as, or produce the effect of, a charm; to please greatly; to be fascinating.
3.
To make a musical sound. (Obs.)





Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48


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"Charm" Quotes from Famous Books



... the accompaniment of a curse, the spirit of the well would cause his death. In some cases the curse was inscribed on a leaden tablet thrown into the waters, just as, in other cases, a prayer for the offerer's benefit was engraved on it. Or, again, objects over which a charm had been said were placed in a well that the victim who drew water might be injured. An excellent instance of a cursing-well is that of Fynnon Elian in Denbigh, which must once have had a guardian priestess, ...
— The Religion of the Ancient Celts • J. A. MacCulloch
... my home with some officers in a small and dirty farm house. The novelty of the situation, however, gave it a certain charm for the time. We were crowded into two or three little rooms and lay on piles of straw. We were short of rations, but each officer contributed something from his private store. I had a few articles of tinned food with me and they proved ...
— The Great War As I Saw It • Frederick George Scott
... he discounts his "Irish charm," and though he praises highly his gifts as dramatist and story-teller he lays little stress on his genuine kindness of nature and the courteous smiling ways which made him so incomparable a companion ...
— Oscar Wilde, Volume 2 (of 2) - His Life and Confessions • Frank Harris
... enthusiasms fell short of the last note of sincerity. Perhaps it was on this account that she produced no strong impression, in spite of her beauty. Her personality suffered on acquaintance from defect of charm. Was it a half-consciousness of this that led her now and then into the curious affectation of childishness already remarked? Did she feel unable to rely for pleasing upon those genuine possessions which for sonic reason could ...
— A Life's Morning • George Gissing
... her to have a flavour of antique chivalry; it smacked of the princess undoing enchantments, and reminded her vaguely of Camelot. She determined to stop at the house and begin the work at once; so she summoned the footman a second time and gave him the address. So great indeed was the charm which her conception exercised over her, that her very indignation against Julian changed to pity. He had to be fitted to the chivalric pattern, and consequently refashioned. Her harlequin fancy straightway transformed him ...
— Ensign Knightley and Other Stories • A. E. W. Mason


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