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Glite Dictionary
to ensorcel

to ensorcel

9.9
To put a magic spell on someone to make them do what you want
  • verb
  • /ɪnˈsɔrsl/
  • Archaic
translation icon : encantar
  • On one occasion, indeed, he was said to have tried to ensorcel a very old man in Rarup called ToPal.

Examples

  • In the story, a wicked witch tried to ensorcel the prince to make him fall in love with her.

  • Why should anyone want to ensorcel an old and poor woman like IaVivi?

    Academic text (1999)

  • But under no circumstances, my informant continued, would you approach the one you suspected of having tried to ensorcel you directly.

    Academic text (1999)

  • The magician aimed to ensorcel the audience with his dazzling performance.

  • The ancient spell was rumored to ensorcel anyone who dared to utter it aloud.

Synonyms

to bewitch
vsto ensorcel
23 7.2

To attract and charm someone as if by magic

focuses on the pure magical bewitching idea rather than mere attraction
to enchant
vsto ensorcel
5 7.7

To put a magic spell on someone or something

is the older poetic term for the same magical action
to spell
vsto ensorcel
3 8.2

Use magic words or actions to control someone

is a rarer, more literary form of that magical act
to voodoo
vsto ensorcel
1 9.3

To use magic to harm or control someone

is the general magical term not tied to any particular tradition
to bespell
vsto ensorcel
  • Archaic
9.9

Use magic to make someone or something do what you want

is a similar term but used more in older texts
to glamor
vsto ensorcel
  • Archaic
9.9

To cast a magic spell that makes someone see or feel things that are not real

is the same concept but in more current everyday language
to becharm
vsto ensorcel
  • Archaic
9.9

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

restricts meaning to a magical bewitching rather than general attraction

Antonyms

to disenchant
2 7.1

Make someone stop believing an idea that is not true or realistic

How Enchanted

to ensorcel
  • Archaic
9.9
to bewitch
23 7.2
to enchant
17 4.8
to charm
71 2.2

Surface Forms

ensorcel infinitive
ensorceling present participle
ensorcels third person singular
ensorcelled past
ensorcelled past participle

Morphology

ensorcel = sorcery (semi-transparent) = en + sorcel

Formed with the productive prefix 'en-' and a root related to 'sorcery', so the general meaning 'to bewitch' is recoverable, but the root form 'sorcel' is not a standalone modern English word and spelling differs from common derivatives, which may confuse learners.

Etymology

Ensorcel starts with en- meaning 'to put into', and the rest is the same root you see in sorcerer and sorcery, words about 'magic' and spells. So, to ensorcel someone is to 'put them into' magic, or to put a spell on them.