charm

¹charm

noun \ˈchärm\

Definition of CHARM

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

— charm·less \-ləs\ adjective

Examples of CHARM

1. He keeps a horseshoe as a good luck charm.
2. He fell under the spell of her charms.
3. The resort has many charms.
4. The inn has a quaint charm.
5. The island possesses great charm.
6. The new curtains add charm to the room.
7. The seaside location is a big part of the house's charm.
8. He won her over with his charm.

Origin of CHARM

Middle English charme, from Anglo-French, from Latin carmen song, from canere to sing — more at chant

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to CHARM

Synonyms

amulet, fetish (also fetich), mascot, mojo, periapt, phylactery, talisman

Antonyms

hoodoo, jinx

Related Words

gris-gris (also grigri), juju, philter, toadstone; emblem, symbol, token, totem

Near Antonyms

curse, hex, spell

Rhymes with CHARM

arm, barm, farm, harm, smarm

²charm

verb

Definition of CHARM

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

— charm·er \ˈchär-mər\ noun

Examples of CHARM

1. The snake was charmed by the music.
2. He was known for his ability to charm voters.
3. He charmed the committee into approving his proposal.
4. I was charmed by the cozy country inn.

First Known Use of CHARM

14th century

Related to CHARM

Synonyms

allure, beguile, bewitch, captivate, enchant, fascinate, kill, magnetize, wile, witch [archaic]

Related Words

disarm, draw, entice, lure, pull, seduce, tempt; delight, gratify, please; arrest, enrapture, enthrall (or enthral), entrance; appeal (to), interest, intrigue; beckon, court, invite, solicit, woo

Near Antonyms

disgust, offend, repel, revolt; annoy, displease, irk; bore, tire, weary

See Synonym Discussion at attract

charm

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

In particle physics, the property or internal quantum number that is conserved in strong and electromagnetic interactions, but not in weak interactions (see strong force, electromagnetic force, weak force). Charmed particles contain at least one charmed quark; the charm number of these quarks is +1. Charmed antiquarks (see antimatter) have a charm number of 1. The first charmed particle was discovered in 1974.