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charm

charm

17 8.2
A word or verse spoken as a magic spell
  • noun
  • /tʃɑrm/
  • Literature
: hechizo
  • The ancient scroll contained a charm that was said to bring good fortune.
  • incantations and charms
  • magical charm

Despair thy charm, and let the Angel whom thou still hast served tell thee.

Examples

  • Might be a good luck charm.

  • It's a good-luck charm, huh?

  • The very existence of healing charms indicates that speech played a primary role in healing.

    Academic text (1999)
  • Informants reported that the incident was the result of a magical charm devised for that purpose.

    Academic text (1990)
  • According to the Tesuque delegation, the honey-meal package was "a charm to call down rain from heaven."

    Academic text (2004)
  • They could also recommend magic practices, offerings and sacrifices, magic charms to ward off the evil spell.

  • Then she recited a charm over some pulsating entrails and made offerings with various liquids.

    Academic text (2003)
  • She recited the charm aloud, hoping it would protect her from harm.

  • The villagers believed the charm had the power to heal the sick.

Synonyms

spell
vscharm
  • Literature
652 8.2

Words believed to give someone magic power or make them unable to think clearly

is focused on short spoken or written phrases not on trance states
mojo
vscharm
  • Informal
55 9.1

A feeling of luck and confidence that helps you do well

is a short phrase used to cause special power not a vague quality
magic spell
vscharm
18 5.2

Words people say or write to make magic happen

is mainly a short phrase or verse rather than a long formula
enchantment
vscharm
  • Literature
12 7.7

A magic spell put on a person or thing

is a short word or verse used to cause the effect not the result
voodoo
vscharm
4 8.4

A small object thought to have magical powers

is a spoken or written short phrase used to produce those powers
magical spell
vscharm
2 5.8

Words said by a witch or wizard to make something happen

is a shorter word or verse used to cause that supernatural effect

Idioms

1 5.8

Act very friendly and say nice things to get what you want

To make people like you a lot by being pleasant and persuasive

Compounds

A person whose presence people believe brings good luck to a team or group

A small thing people keep because they believe it brings good luck

2 3.2

A warm, friendly, polite way people act in the southern United States

A warm, friendly feeling in a small town where people know each other

charm quark
  • Specialized
1 9.3

A very small particle with a positive charge that is heavier than an electron

A planned effort to use praise and friendliness to gain support or popularity

9.9

A warm, down-to-earth manner that makes people feel welcome

A warm, simple style that reminds people of old local traditions

A quiet, catlike way of acting that makes someone seem attractive

roguey charm
  • Informal
8.6

A playful, slightly naughty way of attracting people

9.1

A pleasant old-fashioned feeling that makes a place seem like the past

An attractive, confident style that is a little playful and tempting

How Magical

curse
  • Literature
270 5.5
charm
  • Literature
17 8.2
incantation
  • Literature
26 8.8
magic spell
18 5.2
spell
  • Literature
652 8.2

Surface Forms

charm singular
charms plural

Etymology

Charm comes from the Latin carmen 'song' or 'spell', since people used short songs or verses as magical words. That is why a charm can mean a special word or verse believed to have power.