charm

I. noun Etymology: Middle English charme, from Anglo-French, from Latin carmen song, from canere to sing — more at chant Date: 14th century 1. a. the chanting or reciting of a magic spell ; incantation b. a practice or expression believed to have magic power 2. something worn about the person to ward off evil or ensure good fortune ; amulet 3. a. a trait that fascinates, allures, or delights b. a physical grace or attraction — used in plural <

her feminine charms

> c. compelling attractiveness <

the island possessed great charm

> 4. a small ornament worn on a bracelet or chain 5. a fundamental quark that has an electric charge of + 2/3 and a measured energy of approximately 1.5 GeV; also the flavor characterizing this particle • charmless adjective II. verb Date: 14th century transitive verb 1. a. to affect by or as if by magic ; compel b. to please, soothe, or delight by compelling attraction <

charms customers with his suave manner

> 2. to endow with or as if with supernatural powers by means of charms; also to protect by or as if by spells, charms, or supernatural influences 3. to control (an animal) typically by charms (as the playing of music) <

charm a snake

> intransitive verb 1. to practice magic and enchantment 2. to have the effect of a charm ; fascinate Synonyms: see attract • charmer noun