charmn.1
/tʃɑːm/, U.S. /tʃɑrm/ 1.
a. originally. The chanting or recitation of a verse supposed to possess magic power or occult influence; incantation, enchantment; hence, any action, process, verse, sentence, word, or material thing, credited with such properties; a magic spell; a talisman, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the supernatural > the occult > sorcery, witchcraft, or magic > enchantment or casting spells > [noun] > spell
galderOE
lede-runec1000
sigalderc1000
craftOE
lede spelc1275
charma1300
conjurisonc1380
conjurationa1398
incantation1412
saunter1562
blessing1572
fascination1572
spell1579
lot1625
cantation1656
cantion1656
take1678
jynx1693
cantrip1719
pishogue1829
brujería1838
paternoster1880
goofer1887
runea1935
a1300 Cursor Mundi 28521 With charm and coniurisun, wende i womman to bewile.
c1340 Ayenb. 43 Be charmes oþer be wychecreft.
1393 W. Langland Piers Plowman C. xx. 19 Ich haue saued with þis charme Of men and of wymmen meny score þousend.
c1405 (c1385) G. Chaucer Knight's Tale (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 1852 To oothere woundes and to broken armes Some hadden salues and some hadden charmes.
c1440 Promptorium Parvulorum 70 Charme, incantacio.
1533 J. Bellenden tr. Livy Hist. Rome (1822) v. 462 Quhen M. Fabius..wes sittand in his chiar, makand charmis [L. praefante carmen] of his maner to the sacrifice of Goddis.
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 947 Now thies charmys and enchauntementtes are cheuit to noght.
1586 T. Bowes tr. P. de la Primaudaye French Acad. I. 71 The serpent..stoppeth hir eares with hir taile, to the end she may not heare the charmes and sorceries of the inchanter.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Tempest (1623) v. i. 31 My Charmes Ile breake, their sences Ile restore. View more context for this quotation
1649 J. Milton Εικονοκλαστης Pref. sig. Cv Any charme, though never so wisely murmur'd.
1676 J. Dryden Aureng-Zebe iv. 59 His name alone..Repeated as a charm.
1817 Ld. Byron Manfred i. i. 35 I call upon ye by the written charm Which gives me power upon you.
1858 J. Martineau Stud. Christianity 46 A charm..denotes any material object or outward act, the possession or use of which is thought to confer safety or blessing, not by natural operation, but by occult virtues inherent in it, or mystical effects appended to it.
b. Anything worn about the person to avert evil or ensure prosperity; an amulet.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the supernatural > the occult > sorcery, witchcraft, or magic > enchantment or casting spells > [noun] > charm or amulet
lib1577
periapt1584
charm1590
telesm1597
amulet1601
gamahe1638
talisman1638
adder-bead1694
porte-bonheur1874
1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene i. ii. sig. B5v Curse on that Crosse..Dead long ygoe I wote thou haddest bin, Had not that charme from thee forwarned itt.
1693 W. Robertson Phraseologia Generalis (new ed.) 86 An Amulet or Inchantment and Charm hung about one's neck or wrest against witchcraft.
1832 H. Martineau Life in Wilds vii. 84 Dame Fulton tied a charm round her neck to prevent her being wounded by any venomous reptile.
1832 R. Lander & J. Lander Jrnl. Exped. Niger I. xi. 72 The horse's head was loaded with charms and fetishes.
1838–42 T. Arnold Hist. Rome (1846) II. xi. 407 He was very much afraid of thunder and lightning and always carried about with him a seal skin, as a charm against its power.
c. like a charm: wonderfully, perfectly. Also to a charm.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > excellence > [adverb]
fairlyOE
goodlyc1275
finec1330
properlyc1390
daintily?a1400
thrivinglya1400
goodlily?1457
excellent1483
excellently1527
excellently1529
curiously1548
jollilyc1563
admirably1570
beautifully1570
singularly1576
bravelyc1600
famouslya1616
manlya1616
primely1622
prime1648
eximiously1650
topping1683
egregiously1693
purely1695
trimmingly1719
toppinglya1739
surprisingly1749
capitally1750
brawly1796
jellily18..
stammingly1814
divinely1822
stunningly1823
rippingly1828
jam up1835
out of sight1835
first-rately1843
first rate1844
like a charm1845
stunning1851
marvellously1859
magnificently1868
first class1871
splendidly1883
sterlingly1883
tip-top1888
like one o'clock1901
deevily1905
goodo1907
dandy1908
bonzer1914
great1916
juicily1916
corkingly1917
champion1925
unbeatably1928
snodger1946
beaut1953
smashingly1956
groovily1970
awesome1984
1845 Niles' Reg. 25 Oct. 128/1 The new rig works to a charm.
1851 J. B. Lamar et al. Polly Peablossom's Wedding & Other Tales 40 Whenever he became refractory, his wife would stick her thimble on the end of her finger, and hold it up for him to look at—it acted like a charm!
1869 P. T. Barnum Struggles & Triumphs viii. 123 He assured me that he should be able to give his imitations ‘to a charm’.
1882 Philad. Press 19 Mar. The freezing-out process was applied by Mr. Bliss to Cook, and it worked like a charm.
1934 F. N. Hart Crooked Lane iii. 99 Bill Stirling gave her one the other night, and she said it worked like a charm.
1967 M. Shulman Kill 3 ii. i. 59 ‘It's worked like a charm,’ said West.
2. figurative (cf. spell n.1 3b.)
ΚΠ
1599 W. Shakespeare Romeo & Juliet ii. Chorus 6 Alike bewitched by the charme of lookes. View more context for this quotation
1665 R. Boyle Occas. Refl. ii. vii. sig. P2v Cards and Company will give them enough to prove a Charm against Thinking.
1875 W. Stubbs Constit. Hist. (ed. 2) I. iv. 59 On whom the charm of the Roman name had no power.
3. figurative.
a. Any quality, attribute, trait, feature, etc., which exerts a fascinating or attractive influence, exciting love or admiration. In plural, esp. of female beauty, great personal attractions.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > attractiveness > [noun] > attractive quality or feature
lust1390
jollity1484
allure1534
Venus1540
attract1593
attraction1599
attractive1607
gold dust1690
charm1697
charmingness1727
take1794
charmfulness1842
style1897
appeal1916
pull factor1938
the mind > will > motivation > attraction, allurement, or enticement > [noun] > fascination or enchantment > that which
charm1697
captivation1823
a1616 W. Shakespeare Merry Wives of Windsor (1623) ii. ii. 102 I neuer knew a woman so doate vpon a man; surely I thinke you haue charmes, la..Not I, I assure thee; setting the attraction of my good parts aside, I haue no other charmes.]
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Pastorals iii, in tr. Virgil Wks. 14 All she said and did was full of Charms.
1712 A. Pope Rape of Locke ii, in Misc. Poems 364 Scornful Virgins who their Charms survive.
1757 E. Burke Philos. Enq. Sublime & Beautiful i. §1. 1 Every thing has, in that stage of life, the charm of novelty to recommend it.
1770 O. Goldsmith Deserted Village 289 Slights every borrow'd charm that dress supplies.
1841 E. W. Lane tr. Thousand & One Nights I. 29 A mole is considered an additional charm.
1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. II. 75 When parted by the sea from the charms which had so strongly fascinated him.
1889 N.E.D. at Charm Mod. (Statue) Venus hiding her charms.
b. (without plural) Fascinating quality; charmingness, attractiveness.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > attractiveness > [noun] > attractive quality or feature > fascinating
charming1720
irresistibility1763
charm1830
the mind > will > motivation > attraction, allurement, or enticement > [noun] > fascination or enchantment > quality
bewitchingness1669
charmingness1727
charm1830
enchantingness1879
1830 I. D'Israeli Comm. Life Charles I III. vi. 111 Something of the charm of fiction is thrown into the historical composition.
1877 ‘Mrs. Forrester’ Mignon I. 5 Her charm is chiefly dependant upon expression.
1878 J. Morley Diderot I. 41 To Diderot we go not for charm of style, but for a store of fertile ideas.
Categories »
c. charms (U.S. slang): Money.
ΚΠ
a1734 R. North Examen (1740) ii. iv. ⁋125 She knocked him up at Midnight, with Charms of Secrecy; for, said she, if my Friends come to know I have been with you, I am undone.
5. A small ornament or trinket worn fastened to a watch-chain or girdle. (From sense 1b.)
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > beautification > types of ornamentation > jewellery > jewellery of specific shape or form > [noun] > pendant > fastened to a watch-chain or girdle
watch-seal1798
onion1811
seal1836
chatelaine1851
breloque1856
charm1865
watch-charm1898
1865 Look bef. you Leap I. 227 A small charm in the shape of a heart.
1870 M. Bridgman Robert Lynne I. x. 155 Rose's watch and bunch of charms.
6. Particle Physics. One of the quantum properties or flavours that distinguish the different quarks, being possessed only by the c quark.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > physics > atomic physics > particle physics > quark > [noun] > differentiating property > charm
charm1964
c1975
1964 Bjørken & Glashow in Physics Lett. XI. 255/1 A new quantum number ‘charm’ is violated only by the weak interaction, and the model predicts the existence of many ‘charmed’ particles.
1975 Physics Bull. Apr. 180/3 The new kind of quark, the c quark, would have the same charge and the same (zero) strangeness as the u quark but one unit of charm where the u, d and s quarks have none.
1981 Sci. Amer. Feb. 65/1 A total of five flavors have definitely been observed (they are called up, down, strange, charm and bottom) and the existence of a sixth flavor (top) is all but certain.
Compounds
C1. General attributive.
a.
charm-bound adj.
ΚΠ
1800 S. T. Coleridge tr. F. Schiller Piccolomini i. ix. 41 Inextricably..In this name hath my destiny charm-bound me.
1804 Leyden Mermaid (ad fin.) The charm-bound sailors.
charm-reader n.
ΚΠ
1886 Cornhill Mag. July 55 The charm-reader, the fortune-teller and the medicine man.
charm-ring n.
ΚΠ
1877 W. Jones Finger-ring Lore 133 In the Braybrooke Collection is a bone charm-ring.
b.
charm-built adj.
ΚΠ
1791 E. Darwin Bot. Garden ii. 69 Amid her charm-built towers.
charm-engirdled adj.
ΚΠ
1868 Ld. Houghton Sel. from Wks. 162 Charm-engirdled isle.
charm-like adj.
charm-struck adj.
ΚΠ
1865 M. Arnold Ess. Crit. iii. 115 Mountain-nymph charm-struck by the night.
C2.
charm-bracelet n. a bracelet hung with charms (sense 5).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > beautification > types of ornamentation > jewellery > arm or leg ornament > [noun] > bracelet or armlet > other types of bracelet
Dardanium1648
friendship bracelet1890
slave bangle1923
slave bracelet1934
charm-bracelet1941
1910 W. J. Locke Simon the Jester ii. 20 She held up her bracelet, from which dangled some charms.]
1941 L. P. Benjamin in J. C. Furnas How America Lives (1943) 254 The capable little hands..are so bedecked with charm bracelets.
1959 Guardian 31 Aug. 4/2 The latest fifth-form ‘gimmick’, in the shape of..a charm bracelet.
charm school n. ‘a school in which social graces are taught’ (Webster 1961).
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > [noun] > good manners or polite behaviour > polish or refinement of manners > polishing of manners > school for
charm school1950
1950 C. M. Kornbluth Little Black Bag in Best SF Stories (1968) 76 I'm going to go to charm school.
1962 ‘L. Grex’ Terror wears Smile viii. 126 Steve Blaine might be top of his class in Charm School, but [etc.].
Draft additions 1997
charm offensive n. the adoption of a plausible manner or cooperative approach as an expedient strategy for achieving a goal (esp. in Politics).
ΚΠ
1979 Summary of World Broadcasts Pt. 3: Far East (B.B.C.) 18 Apr. FE/6094/A3/12 Sihanouk, ‘who has launched a veritable “charm offensive” towards the Philippines since he retired here [i.e. Peking] from political activity, increased his public attentions to the country.’
1993 U.S. News & World Rep. 11 Jan. 18/3 Instead of taking a hard line, the official expects Hussein to emphasize a new ‘reasonableness’... If the ‘charm offensive’ fails, U.S. officials fear a resumption of military probing and acts of terrorism.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1889; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
charmn.2
/tʃɑːm/, U.S. /tʃɑrm/ 1.
a. The blended singing or noise of many birds; the blended voices of school-children, and the like.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > music > musical sound > [noun] > sound of singing
songeOE
chirm1530
charm1548
the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > thing heard > [noun] > sound > assemblage or body of > blended or concordant
chirm1530
charm1548
unison1619
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 617/2 What a cherme these byrdes make, comment ces oyseaux jargonnent.]
1548 N. Udall et al. tr. Erasmus Paraphr. Newe Test. I. Luke 31 b The hymne..which that same heauenly quier of Aungels..syng all together in one charme.
1580 H. Gifford Posie of Gilloflowers ii. sig. M I..listened..Vnto the small birdes chirping charme.
1584 G. Peele Araygnem. Paris i. iii. sig. Aiiij Harke Flora, Faunus, here is melodie, A charme of birdes.
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost iv. 642 Sweet is the breath of morn, her rising sweet, With charm of earliest Birds. View more context for this quotation
1879 R. Jefferies Wild Life 233 Thousands of starlings, the noise of whose calling to each other is indescribable..the country folk call it a ‘charm’, meaning a noise made up of innumerable lesser sounds, each interfering with the other.
1879 G. F. Jackson Shropshire Word-bk. (at cited word) The coppy's all on a charm.
1879 G. F. Jackson Shropshire Word-bk. (at cited word) Whad a charm them childern bin makin i' school.
1886 W. Barnes Dorset Dial. Charm, a noise or confusion of voices, as of children or birds.
b. In extended use.
ΚΠ
1674 N. Fairfax Treat. Bulk & Selvedge 64 An harshness in these things not being so harmless as the cutting of Cork, whereby, though you saw and wring the ears with the sharm, yet still 'tis but a light business you have to deal with.
a. of a bird.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > birds > sound or bird defined by > [noun] > song
songeOE
lay13..
notec1330
shouting1508
record1582
charm1587
roundelay1588
ramage?1614
ornithology1655
jerk1675
birdsong1834
roll1933
1587 T. Churchyard Worthines of Wales sig. N1v The chirp and charme, and chaunt of euery bird.
1604 M. Drayton Owle sig. Bv The small Birds warbled their harmonious charmes.
b. of men.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > music > type of music > vocal music > [noun]
songeOE
wisea1000
chant1587
voice-music1600
charm1633
vocal1769
minstrelsy1863
1633 P. Fletcher Purple Island i. xviii. 5 If..Mævius chaunt his thoughts in brothell charm.
3. A company or flock (of finches, etc.). Cf. chirm n. 3.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > animals collectively > [noun] > herd or flock
herda1000
flockc1200
routc1300
flowinga1382
rabblec1400
meinie1481
many1579
school?1590
plump1591
charm1801
band1824
mob1828
1801 J. Strutt Glig-gamena Angel-ðeod i. ii. 28 A charm of goldfinches.
1930 E. W. Hendy Wild Exmoor xvi. 245 A ‘charm’ of goldfinches joined them.
1936 C. R. Acton Sport & Sportsmen of New Forest ii. 43 A Forester speaks of a swarm of bees as a ‘Charm’, which expression arises from the Saxon ‘cyrm’, a cluster.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1889; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
charmv.1
/tʃɑːm/, U.S. /tʃɑrm/ 1.
a. transitive. To act upon with or as with a charm or magic, so as to influence, control, subdue, bind, etc.; to put a spell upon; to bewitch, enchant.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the supernatural > the occult > sorcery, witchcraft, or magic > enchantment or casting spells > [verb (transitive)]
bigaleOE
biwihelea1225
bewitchc1225
witchc1300
sigalder1303
bichantc1330
becharm1340
enchant1377
charmc1380
forspeakc1440
ensorte1477
encharm1480
conjurea1535
ensorcell1589
fascinate1603
spell1646
maleficiate1651
to cast the glamour over one?17..
maleficate1701
spell-bind1808
makutu1825
trick1829
glamour1832
bespell1894
wizard1898
to put the fluence on1909
effascinate-
the mind > will > motivation > attraction, allurement, or enticement > attract, allure, or entice [verb (transitive)] > fascinate or enchant
enchantc1374
charmc1380
catchc1405
witch1499
bewitch1526
captive1528
allure?1532
captivate1535
disarm1553
enthral1562
sirenize1592
enamour1600
infascinate1687
fascinate1742
capture1796
besiren1861
c1380 Sir Ferumbras (1879) l. 2411 & hymen he charmeþ so, þat hy ne myȝte a-wakye noȝt.
c1440 York Myst. xxxiii. 288 He enchaunted and charmed oure knyghtis.
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Jer. viii. 17 I will sende Cockatrices & serpentes amonge you (which will not be charmed).
1591 J. Florio Second Frutes 13 It is good to drinke in a morning to charme the mist.
1794 S. Williams Nat. & Civil Hist. Vermont 128 Each of these animals have a power of fascinating, or charming birds.
1856 E. K. Kane Arctic Explor. II. xxiv. 243 They wanted me to charm or cure him.
1889 N.E.D. at Charm Mod. Many people still believe in charming warts.
b. Const. to and infinitive (obsolete), from. Also †figurative. To persuade or induce to, to dissuade from.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > motivation > demotivation > demotivate [verb (transitive)] > dissuade
revoke1447
dehorta1533
dishort1549
dissuade?c1550
charma1592
wean1607
to steer off1662
remonstrate1819
dispersuade1951
the mind > will > motivation > persuasion > persuade (a person) [verb (transitive)] > persuade or prevail upon > to do something
procurea1325
draw1425
inducec1450
draw1531
obtain1558
reduce?a1560
weighc1571
charma1592
obtain1606
bias1660
gain1681
import1825
wangle1926
a1592 R. Greene Frier Bacon (1594) sig. E4v If thou canst by magicke charme, The fiend..From pulling downe the branches of the tree.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Timon of Athens (1623) iv. iii. 452 Has almost charm'd me from my Profession, by perswading me to it. View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare Macbeth (1623) iv. i. 145 Ile Charme the Ayre to giue a sound. View more context for this quotation
a1687 W. Petty Polit. Arithm. (1691) i. 31 As if Men could be charmed to transplant themselves from their own Native..Country merely by Words.
1796 R. Southey Joan of Arc viii. 440 Nor all her hellish arts Can charm my arrows from their destin'd course.
c. With various complements; e.g.: to charm asleep, charm away, charm out, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the supernatural > the occult > sorcery, witchcraft, or magic > enchantment or casting spells > [verb (transitive)] > change or move by enchantment
charm away1549
witch1608
ycharmc1620
spell1876
1549 M. Coverdale et al. tr. Erasmus Paraphr. Newe Test. II. Gal. iii. f. viiiv He, that..charmyng out your christian mynde hath by enchauntment cast you into this frensye.
1600 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 2 iv. i. 265 This Hidra, sonne of warre..Whose dangerous eies may well be charmd asleepe. View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare Cymbeline (1623) i. vi. 118 'Tis your Graces That from my mutest Conscience, to my tongue, Charmes this report out. View more context for this quotation
1717 A. Pope Rape of Lock (new ed.) v, in Wks. 159 Oh! if to dance all night, and dress all day, Charm'd the small-pox, or chas'd old-age away.
1762 O. Goldsmith Life R. Nash 26 He would charm away the poison of the Doctor's toad, as they usually charmed the venom of the Tarantula, by music.
1796 E. Burke Two Lett. Peace Regicide Directory France (ed. 10) ii. 160 To charm that rich prize out of the iron gripe of robbery.
1827 G. Canning Poet. Wks. 43 'Twill charm away the fiends.
1850 Ld. Tennyson In Memoriam xxi. 36 When science..charms Her secret from the latest moon. View more context for this quotation
1859 Ld. Tennyson Vivien in Idylls of King 110 The charm so taught will charm us both to rest.
2. † b. To mark with a symbol as a charm. Obsolete.
a. To endow with supernatural powers or virtues by means of charms; esp. to fortify against evil or dangers.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the supernatural > the occult > sorcery, witchcraft, or magic > enchantment or casting spells > [verb (transitive)] > protect with a spell
charm1554
spell1691
1554 T. Becon Humble Supplicacion sig. Ciij The Bisshop mumbleth a fewe latin woordes ouer the chylde, charmeth hym, crosseth hym.
a1593 C. Marlowe Tragicall Hist. Faustus (1604) sig. D2 Then charme me that I may be inuisible.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Cymbeline (1623) v. v. 68 I, in mine owne woe charm'd, Could not finde death. View more context for this quotation
1616 G. Chapman tr. Homer Iliad iv, in Whole Wks. Homer 62 Feed not the Grecians pride; They are not charm'd against your points, of steele, nor Iron fram'd.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the supernatural > the occult > sorcery, witchcraft, or magic > enchantment or casting spells > [verb (transitive)] > mark with symbol as charm
charm1678
1678 London Gaz. No. 1338/4 A grey Mare..charm'd upon the 4 fetter-lock joints.
3. intransitive. To work charms, use enchantments or spells, practise magic.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the supernatural > the occult > sorcery, witchcraft, or magic > enchantment or casting spells > [verb (intransitive)]
witchOE
charmc1300
hex1830
c1300 K. Alis. 342 Thus charmed Neptanabus.
a1340 R. Rolle Psalter lvii[i]. 5 He charmys swa wisely in his crafte.
a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus De Proprietatibus Rerum (BL Add. 27944) (1975) II. xviii. x. 1135 Sche heereþ nouȝt þe vois of þe charmynge, nouþer comeþ oute to him þat charmeþ.
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Psalms lvii[i]. 5 That she shulde not heare the voyce of the charmer, charme he neuer so wysely.
1603 W. Shakespeare Hamlet i. i. 144 No Fairie takes [1623 talkes], nor Witch hath powre to charme..so hallowed is that time.
1662 R. Mathews Unlearned Alchymist (new ed.) §71. 94 I do..give my enemies leave to charm against my Pill.
4. To overcome or subdue, as if by magic power; to calm, soothe, allay, assuage. †to charm the tongue: (formerly a very common phrase for) to keep it silent.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > taciturnity or reticence > be silent/refrain from speaking [verb (intransitive)]
to hold one's tonguec897
to keep one's tonguec897
to be (hold oneself) stilla1000
to say littleOE
to hold one's mouthc1175
to shut (also close) one's mouthc1175
to keep (one's) silence?c1225
to hold (also have, keep) one's peacea1275
stillc1330
peacec1395
mum1440
to say neither buff nor baff1481
to keep (also play) mum1532
to charm the tonguec1540
to have (also set, keep) a hatch before the door1546
hush1548
to play (at) mumbudgeta1564
not to say buff to a wolf's shadow1590
to keep a still tongue in one's head1729
to sing small1738
to sew up1785
let that fly stick in (or to) the wall1814
to say (also know) neither buff nor stye1824
to choke back1844
mumchance1854
to keep one's trap shut1899
to choke up1907
to belt up1949
to keep (or stay) shtum1958
shtum1958
the world > action or operation > manner of action > lack of violence, severity, or intensity > make less violent or severe [verb (transitive)] > assuage or calm
laya1300
disarm?c1400
lithec1430
mitigatea1513
charmc1540
hush1632
assopiatea1649
society > authority > power > influence > have influence with [verb (transitive)] > have controlling or prevailing influence upon
rule?c1225
govern1340
overcomec1400
charmc1540
rein1557
oversway1593
reign1844
c1540 Play Wit & Sc. (1848) 37 Fall you to kyssyng, syr..Your mother shall charme you, go your wayes.
1567 T. Palfreyman Baldwin's Treat. Morall Philos. (new ed.) xi. i. f. 233 Charme thy tongue, thy bealy and thy priuities.
1596 E. Spenser Second Pt. Faerie Queene v. ix. sig. V2 A person..That well could charme his tongue, & time his speach. View more context for this quotation
1596 A. Munday tr. 1st Pt. Palmerin of Eng. xii Berolde..receiuing him at the point of his Launce, charmed his bolde attempt.
1655 T. Fuller Church-hist. Brit. v. 254 The stench of His corps could be charmed with no embalming.
1713 A. Pope Ode Musick 7 Musick the fiercest Griefs can charm.
1799 T. Campbell Pleasures of Hope & Other Poems i. 285 Mercy gave, to charm the sense of woe, Ideal peace.
1879 F. W. Farrar Life & Work St. Paul I. ix. xl. 314 The sound of their own language..charmed their rage for the moment.
5.
a. figurative. To influence, enthral, powerfully attract or engage (the mind, senses, etc.) by beauty, sweetness, or other attractive quality; to fascinate, captivate, bewitch, enchant, delight.In Shakespeare's time, still a strong metaphor from sense 1; but now, from constant use, applied without any thought of this connection.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > attractiveness > attract [verb (transitive)] > charm
charmc1440
besmite1685
fascinate1742
the mind > emotion > pleasure > quality of being pleasant or pleasurable > please or give pleasure to [verb (transitive)] > charm
charmc1440
allure?1532
attract1584
sirenize1592
enchant1593
enamour1600
fetch1607
inveiglea1720
seduce1747
appeal1881
c1440 Promptorium Parvulorum 70 Charmyn, begylyn or forspekyn, fascino.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Twelfth Night (1623) ii. ii. 18 Fortune forbid my out-side haue not charm'd her. View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare Tempest (1623) iv. i. 178 So I charm'd their eares That Calfe-like, they my lowing follow'd. View more context for this quotation
1665 R. Boyle Occas. Refl. vi. vi. sig. Oo1v The moderate Beauty they disclose to the Eye, (which is sufficient to please, though not to charm it).
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost i. 787 They..with jocond Music charm his ear. View more context for this quotation
1710 J. Swift Lett. (1768) III. 17 That's something charms me mightily about London.
1712 J. Addison Spectator No. 279. ¶3 He every where charms and pleases us by the force of his own Genius.
1716 Lady M. W. Montagu Let. 14 Sept. (1965) I. 265 I was perfectly charm'd with the Empresse.
1872 J. Morley Voltaire iii. 115 What always charmed him in Racine and Boileau,..was that they said what they intended to say.
1875 B. Jowett tr. Plato Dialogues (ed. 2) I. 491 I can tell you a charming tale..And we, Socrates..shall be charmed to listen.
b. absol.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > motivation > attraction, allurement, or enticement > attract, allure, or entice [verb (intransitive)] > fascinate or enchant
witch1499
sirenize1592
charm1709
fascinate1742
1709 A. Pope Spring in Poet. Misc.: 6th Pt. 728 If Sylvia smiles..vanquish'd Nature seems to charm no more.
1733 A. Pope Ess. Man ii. 186 The fiery Soul abhorr'd in Cataline, In Decius charms, in Curtius is divine.
1847 Ld. Tennyson Princess Concl. 163 We..sat on, So much the gathering darkness charm'd.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > request > request or ask for [verb (transitive)] > appeal to or invoke
halsec825
askOE
witnec1200
halsenc1290
calla1325
incalla1340
to speak to ——1362
interpel1382
inclepec1384
turnc1384
becallc1400
ethec1400
peala1425
movec1450
provoke1477
adjure1483
invoke1490
conjurea1500
sue1521
invocatea1530
obtest1548
obtestate1553
to throw oneself on (or upon)1592
obsecrate1598
charm1599
to cry on ——1609
behight1615
imprecate1643
impray1855
1599 T. Moffett Silkewormes 16 She Pyram drencht, and then thus charmes: Speake loue, O speake, how hapned this to thee?
a1616 W. Shakespeare Julius Caesar (1623) ii. i. 270 Vpon my knees, I charme you, by my once commended Beauty..That you vnfold to me..Why you are heauy. View more context for this quotation
a1734 R. North Examen (1740) ii. iv. ⁋15. 239 His learned Counsel..made an Harangue, charming him to be free..in answering to his Questions.
a. [Probably with some association with charm n.2] To temper, tune, play (an instrument or melody).
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > music > performing music > playing instruments > play instrument [verb (transitive)]
sounda1300
charm1579
play1728
voice1728
kittle1786
perform1786
1579 E. Spenser Shepheardes Cal. Oct. 118 Here we our slender pipes may safely charme.
1595 E. Spenser Colin Clouts come Home Againe sig. A3 Charming his oaten pipe vnto his peres.
1596 E. Spenser Second Pt. Faerie Queene v. ix. sig. T6 Like as the fouler on his guilefull pype Charmes to the birds full many a pleasant lay. View more context for this quotation
1609 T. Dekker Guls Horne-bk. sig. B3 Oh what songs will I charme out.
b. intransitive (of an instrument): To sound harmoniously. See charming adj. 3.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1889; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
charmv.2
dialect.
= chirm v. 1.
ΚΠ
1881 Daily News 18 Jan. 5/1 The ducks and widgeons go on ‘charming’.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1889; most recently modified version published online June 2020).
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