Charm

• POS: Noun, Verb (usu participle), Verb (transitive)

CIDE DICTIONARY

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.].

•  A melody; a song.  [1913 Webster]

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

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

  "The charm of beauty's powerful glance."  [1913 Webster]
•  Anything worn for its supposed efficacy to the wearer in averting ill or securing good fortune.  [1913 Webster]
•  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]
•  a property of certain quarks which may take the value of +1, -1 or 0.  [PJC]

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

Charm, v. t. [Cf. F. charmer. See Charm, n.].

•  To make music upon; to tune.  [1913 Webster]

  "Here we our slender pipes may safely charm."  [1913 Webster]
•  To subdue, control, or summon by incantation or supernatural influence; to affect by magic.  [1913 Webster]

  "No witchcraft charm thee!"  [1913 Webster]
•  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."  [1913 Webster]
•  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."  [1913 Webster]
•  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."

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

Charm, v. i. 

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

  "The voice of charmers, charming never so wisely."  [1913 Webster]
•  To act as, or produce the effect of, a charm; to please greatly; to be fascinating.  [1913 Webster]
•  To make a musical sound.  Milton.  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

Charm, n. & v.
--n.
1 a the power or quality of giving delight or arousing admiration. b fascination, attractiveness. c (usu. in pl.) an attractive or enticing quality.
2 a trinket on a bracelet etc.
3 a an object, act, or word(s) supposedly having occult or magic power; a spell. b a thing worn to avert evil etc.; an amulet.
4 Physics a property of matter manifested by some elementary particles.
--v.tr.
1 delight, captivate (charmed by the performance).
2 influence or protect as if by magic (leads a charmed life).
3 a gain by charm (charmed agreement out of him). b influence by charm (charmed her into consenting).
4 cast a spell on, bewitch.

Idiom

charm-bracelet a bracelet hung with small trinkets. like a charm perfectly, wonderfully.

Derivative

charmer n.

Etymology

ME f. OF charme, charmer f. L carmen song

THESAURUS

Charm

absorb, absorb the attention, adorability, agacerie, agreeability, agreeableness, alchemy, allay, allure, allurement, amiability, amulet, anklet, appeal, appealingness, argue into, armlet, arrest, ascendancy, assuage, attract, attraction, attractiveness, authority, bait, baited trap, bangle, beads, beauteousness, beautifulness, beauty, beauty unadorned, becharm, beguile, beguilement, beguiling, bevy, bewitch, bewitchery, bewitchment, bijou, bind, blandishment, bloom, bracelet, breastpin, bring over, bring round, bring to reason, brooch, cajolery, calm, cantrip, captivate, captivation, carry away, cast a spell, catch, chain, chaplet, charisma, charmingness, charms, chatelaine, circle, cloud, clout, come-hither, come-on, con, conjuration, consequence, control, convince, coronet, covey, credit, crown, cultivation, culture, curse, decoy, decoy duck, delectate, delight, delightfulness, desirability, diadem, divination, dominance, domination, draw, draw on, draw over, drawcard, drawing card, earring, effect, elegance, eminence, enamor, enchant, enchantment, endear, endearment, engage, engage the attention, engage the thoughts, engross, engross the mind, engross the thoughts, enrapture, enravish, enravishment, enthrall, enthrallment, enticement, entrance, entrancement, entrapment, esteem, evil eye, exercise, exorcism, exquisiteness, extraordinarily, fascinate, fascination, favor, fetish, fetishism, flight, flirtation, flock, fob, folklore, forbidden fruit, force, freak out, fylfot, gaggle, gain, gain over, gammadion, gem, glamour, glow, good feeling, good-luck charm, grab, grace, gramarye, gratefulness, grip, ground bait, handsomeness, hex, hive, hold, hold in thrall, hold spellbound, hold the interest, hoodoo, hook, hook in, hypnotize, immerse, imparadise, importance, incantation, incidental power, inducement, infatuate, inflame with love, influence, influentiality, insinuation, interest, intrigue, inveiglement, invitation, invitingness, involve, involve the interest, jewel, jinx, juju, jujuism, knock dead, knock out, leadership, leverage, likability, locket, lore, lovability, love charm, loveliness, lovesomeness, luck, lucky bean, lucky piece, lure, luxury, madstone, magic, magic spell, magnetism, magnetize, malocchio, mascot, mastery, mesmerize, miraculously, moment, monopolize, mumbo jumbo, murmuration, natural magic, necklace, necromancy, nose ring, obeah, obsess, occupy, occupy the attention, outtalk, overcome, perfectly, periapt, personality, persuade, persuasion, philter, phylactery, pin, plague, polish, popular belief, potency, power, precious stone, predominance, preoccupy, preponderance, pressure, prestige, prettiness, prevail on, prevail upon, prevail with, pulchritude, pull, purchase, ravish, refinement, reign, repute, rhinestone, ring, rule, rune, say, scarab, scarabaeus, scarabee, seduce, seducement, seduction, seductiveness, sell, sell one on, send, sensuousness, sex appeal, shamanism, skein, slay, snare, snaring, soothe, sophistication, sorcery, sortilege, spell, spellbind, spellbinding, spellcasting, spring, stickpin, stone, suasion, suavity, subdue, subtle influence, successfully, sudarium, suggestion, superstition, superstitiousness, supremacy, swarm, swastika, sway, sweetness, sympathetic magic, take, take up, talisman, talk into, talk over, tantalization, tantalize, tantalizingness, tempt, temptation, temptingness, thaumaturgia, thaumaturgics, thaumaturgism, thaumaturgy, the beautiful, theurgy, thrill, tiara, tickle, tickle pink, titillate, torque, tradition, transport, trap, upper hand, urbanity, vamp, vampirism, veronica, voluptuousness, voodoo, voodooism, wampum, wanga, wangle, wangle into, watch, wear down, weight, weird, whammy, whip hand, white magic, wile, win, win over, winning ways, winningness, winsomeness, witch, witchcraft, witchery, witchwork, wizardry, wooing, wow, wristband, wristlet

ROGET THESAURUS

Charm

Motive

N motive, springs of action, wellsprings of action, reason, ground, call, principle, by end, by purpose, mainspring, primum mobile, keystone, the why and the wherefore, pro and con, reason why, secret motive, arriere pensee, intention, inducement, consideration, attraction, loadstone, magnet, magnetism, magnetic force, allectation, allective, temptation, enticement, agacerie, allurement, witchery, bewitchment, bewitchery, charm, spell, fascination, blandishment, cajolery, seduction, seducement, honeyed words, voice of the tempter, song of the Sirens forbidden fruit, golden apple, persuasibility, persuasibleness, attractability, impressibility, susceptibility, softness, persuasiveness, attractiveness, tantalization, influence, prompting, dictate, instance, impulse, impulsion, incitement, incitation, press, instigation, provocation, inspiration, persuasion, suasion, encouragement, advocacy, exhortation, advice, solicitation, lobbyism, pull, incentive, stimulus, spur, fillip, whip, goad, ankus, rowel, provocative, whet, dram, bribe, lure, decoy, decoy duck, bait, trail of a red herring, bribery and corruption, sop, sop for Cerberus, prompter, tempter, seducer, seductor, instigator, firebrand, incendiary, Siren, Circe, agent provocateur, lobbyist, impulsive, motive, suasive, suasory, persuasive, persuasory, hortative, hortatory, protreptical, inviting, tempting suasive, suasory, seductive, attractive, fascinating, provocative, induced, disposed, persuadable, spellbound, instinct with, smitten with, infatuated, inspired, by, because, therefore, from this motive, from that motive, for this reason, for that reason, for, by reason of, for the sake of, count of, out of, from, as, forasmuch as, for all the world, on principle, fax mentis incendium gloriae, temptation hath a music for all ears, to beguile many and be beguiled by one.

VB induce, move, draw, draw on, bring in its train, give an impulse, to, inspire, put up to, prompt, call up, attract, beckon, stimulate, spirit up, inspirit, rouse, arouse, animate, incite, foment, provoke, instigate, set on, actuate, act upon, work upon, operate upon, encourage, pat on the back, pat on the shoulder, clap on the back, clap on the shoulder, influence, weigh with, bias, sway, incline, dispose, predispose, turn the scale, inoculate, lead by the nose, have influence with, have influence over, have influence upon, exercise influence with, exercise influence over, exercise influence upon, go round, come round one, turn the head, magnetize, lobby, persuade, prevail with, prevail upon, overcome, carry, bring round to one's senses, bring to one's senses, draw over, win over, gain over, come over, talk over, procure, enlist, engage, invite, court, tempt, seduce, overpersuade, entice, allure, captivate, fascinate, bewitch, carry away, charm, conciliate, wheedle, coax, lure, inveigle, tantalize, cajole, tamper with, bribe, suborn, grease the palm, bait with a silver hook, gild the pill, make things pleasant, put a sop into the pan, throw a sop to, bait the hook, enforce, force, impel, propel, whip, lash, goad, spur, prick, urge, egg on, hound, hurry on, drag, exhort, advise, call upon, press, advocate, set an example, set the fashion, keep in countenance, be persuaded, yield to temptation, come round, concede, obey a call, follow advice, follow the bent, follow the dictates of, act on principle.

Preservation

N preservation, safe-keeping, conservation, maintenance, support, susteritation, conservatism, vis conservatrix, salvation, prophylaxis, preserver, preservative, additive, antibiotics, antifungals, biocide, hygiastics, hygiantics, cover, drugget, cordon sanitaire, canning, ensilage, tinned goods, canned goods, snake oil, spider webs, cure-all, laetrile, charm, preserving, conservative, prophylactic, preservatory, preservative, hygienic, preserved, unimpaired, unbroken, uninjured, unhurt, unsinged, unmarred, safe, safe and sound, intact, with a whole skin, nolumus leges Angliae mutari.

Pleasurableness

VB cause pleasure, produce pleasure, create pleasure, give pleasure, afford pleasure, procure pleasure, offer pleasure, present pleasure, yield pleasure, please, charm, delight, becharm, imparadise, gladden, take, captivate, fascinate, enchant, entrance, enrapture, transport, bewitch, enravish, bless, beatify, satisfy, gratify, desire, slake, satiate, quench, indulge, humor, flatter, tickle, tickle the palate, regale, refresh, enliven, treat, amuse, take one's fancy, tickle one's fancy, hit one's fancy, meet one's wishes, win the heart, gladden the heart, rejoice the heart, warm the cockles of the heart, do one's heart good, attract, allure, stimulate, interest, make things pleasant, popularize, gild the pill, sugar-coat the pill, sweeten.

Sorcery

VB practice sorcery, cast a nativity, conjure, exorcise, charm, enchant, bewitch, bedevil, hoodoo, voodoo, entrance, mesmerize, magnetize, fascinate, taboo, wave a wand, rub the ring, rub the lamp, cast a spell, call up spirits, call up spirits from the vasty deep, raise spirits from the dead.

Beauty

N beauty, the beautiful, to kalon, le beau ideal, aesthetics, callaesthetics, pulchritude, form, elegance, grace, beauty unadorned, natural beauty, symmetry, comeliness, fairness, polish, gloss, good effect, good looks, belle tournure, trigness, bloom, brilliancy, radiance, splendor, gorgeousness, magnificence, sublimity, sublimification, concinnity, delicacy, refinement, charm, je ne sais quoi, style, Venus, Aphrodite, Hebe, the Graces, Peri, Houri, Cupid, Apollo, Hyperion, Adonis, Antionous, Narcissus, peacock, butterfly, garden, flower of, pink of, bijou, jewel, work of art, flower, flow'ret gay, wildflower, rose, lily, anemone, asphodel, buttercup, crane's bill, daffodil, tulip, tiger lily, day lily, begonia, marigold, geranium, lily of the valley, ranunculus, rhododendron, windflower, pleasurableness, beautifying, landscaping, landscape gardening, decoration, calisthenics, beauty, hunk (of men), beautiful, beauteous, handsome, gorgeous, pretty, lovely, graceful, elegant, prepossessing, attractive, delicate, dainty, refined, fair, personable, comely, seemly, bonny, good-looking, well-favored, well-made, well-formed, well- proportioned, proper, shapely, symmetrical, harmonious, sightly, fit to be seen, passable, not amiss, goodly, dapper, tight, jimp, gimp, janty, jaunty, trig, natty, quaint, trim, tidy, neat, spruce, smart, tricksy, bright, bright eyed, rosy cheeked, cherry cheeked, rosy, ruddy, blooming, in full bloom, brilliant, shining, beamy, beaming, sparkling, splendid, resplendent, dazzling, glowing, glossy, sleek, rich, superb, magnificent, grand, fine, sublime, showy, specious, artistic, artistical, aesthetic, picturesque, pictorial, fait a peindre, well-composed, well grouped, well varied, curious, enchanting becoming, ornamental, undeformed, undefaced, unspotted, spotless, auxilium non leve vultus habet, beauty born of murmuring sound, flowers preach to us if we will hear, gratior ac pulchro veniens in corpore virtus, none but the brave deserve the fair, thou who hast the fatal gift of beauty.

Spell

N spell, charm, incantation, exorcism, weird, cabala, exsufflation, cantrap, runes, abracadabra, open sesame, countercharm, Ephesian letters, bell book and candle, Mumbo Jumbo, evil eye, fee-faw- fum, talisman, amulet, periapt, telesm, phylactery, philter, fetich, fetish, agnus Dei, lamb of God, furcula, madstone, mascot, mascotte, merrythought, Om, Aum, scarab, scarabaeus, sudarium, triskelion, veronica, wishbone, swastika, fylfot, gammadion, wand, caduceus, rod, divining rod, lamp of Aladdin, wishing-cap, Fortunatus's cap.

Love

VB love, like, affect, fancy, care for, take an interest in, be partial to, sympathize with, affection, be in love with, have a love, for, entertain a love, for, harbor cherish a love, for, regard, revere, take to, bear love to, be wedded to, set one's affections on, make much of, feast one's eyes on, hold dear, prize, hug, cling to, cherish, pet, burn, adore, idolize, love to distraction, aimer eperdument, dote on, dote upon, take a fancy to, look sweet upon, become enamored, fall in love with, lose one's heart, desire, excite love, win the heart, gain the heart, win the affections, gain the affections, secure the love, engage the affections, take the fancy of have a place in the heart, wind round the heart, attract, attach, endear, charm, fascinate, captivate, bewitch, seduce, enamor, enrapture, turn the head, get into favor, ingratiate oneself, insinuate oneself, worm oneself, propitiate, curry favor with, pay one's court to, faire l'aimable, set one's cap at, flirt.