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Glite Dictionary
to bespell

to bespell

9.9
Use magic to make someone or something do what you want
  • verb
  • /bɪˈspɛl/
  • Archaic
translation icon : encantar
  • The wizard needed a special potion to bespell the ancient tree and awaken its magic.

Examples

  • Rush's bow, dropping on the bespelled cobbles, seemed to echo within the tower ring.

    Fiction book (1993)

  • So far as he knew, Ela's magic had bespelled the creature, brought back the horses, and secured their safety, and he had been unjust to lay hands on her and, most of all, to disturb what might have been a delicate and essential work of magic.

    Fiction book (1992)

  • And you can't bespell them; it only makes them angry.

    Fiction book (1992)

  • "If he will not be tricked, he will be bespelled," she said.

    Fiction book (2000)

  • She was bespelled, decorated, given gifts, and finally "fed" by her husband.

    Academic text (2003)

  • During the ceremony, she managed to bespell everyone with her enchanting voice.

  • He was able to successfully bespell the audience, leaving them in awe of his performance.

Synonyms

to bewitch
vsto bespell
23 7.2

To attract and charm someone as if by magic

is focused on placing magical influence rather than mere attraction
to enchant
vsto bespell
5 7.7

To put a magic spell on someone or something

focuses on putting someone under a magical influence rather than charm
to spell
vsto bespell
3 8.2

Use magic words or actions to control someone

is broader and refers generally to enchanting or magical influence
to voodoo
vsto bespell
1 9.3

To use magic to harm or control someone

is generic magical enchantment not tied to a specific tradition
to ensorcel
vsto bespell
  • Archaic
9.9

To put a magic spell on someone to make them do what you want

is the general idea of enchanting without stressing how it happens
to becharm
vsto bespell
  • Archaic
9.9

To use magic or nice words to make someone like and obey you

focuses only on using magic to place a supernatural effect

Antonyms

to disenchant
  • Jargon
8.2

Remove magic from an object

How Enchanted

to mesmerize
  • US
39 6.4
to bewitch
23 7.2
to bespell
  • Archaic
9.9
to enchant
17 4.8
to charm
71 2.2

Surface Forms

bespell infinitive
bespelled past
bespelled past participle
bespelling present participle
bespells third person singular

Morphology

bespell = spell (transparent) = be + spell

The productive prefix 'be-' combines with 'spell' to mean 'to put under a spell', a direct and regular derivation.

Etymology

The word bespell comes from the small part be- and the word spell, where be- means 'to make', as in befriend, and spell means a 'magic word'. So, to bespell someone is to 'make' them be under a 'spell' — to enchant or charm them.