charm

charm
{{11}}charm (n.) c.1300, "incantation, magic charm," from O.Fr. charme (12c.) "magic charm, magic, spell; incantation, song, lamentation," from L. carmen "song, verse, enchantment, religious formula," from canere "to sing" (see CHANT (Cf. chant)), with dissimilation of -n- to -r- before -m- in intermediate form *canmen (for a similar evolution, Cf. L. germen "germ," from *genmen). The notion is of chanting or reciting verses of magical power.
A yet stronger power than that of herb or stone lies in the spoken word, and all nations use it both for blessing and cursing. But these, to be effective, must be choice, well knit, rhythmic words (verba concepta), must have lilt and tune; hence all that is strong in the speech wielded by priest, physician, magician, is allied to the forms of poetry. [Jacob Grimm, "Teutonic Mythology" (transl. Stallybrass), 1883]
Sense of "pleasing quality" first recorded 1590s. Meaning "small trinket fastened to a watch-chain, etc." first recorded 1865.
{{12}}charm (v.) c.1300, "to recite or cast a magic spell," from O.Fr. charmer, from L.L. carminare, from L. carmen (see CHARM (Cf. charm) (n.)). Related: Charmed; charming.

Etymology dictionary. 2014.

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  • Charm — 〈[tʃa:m] n. 15; Phys.〉 ladungsartige Quantenzahl der Elementarteilchen, vor allem der Quarks, deren Existenz seit 1974 experimentell bestätigt ist * * * Charm [ tʃɑ:m; engl. charm = Charme]; Symbol: c: Phantasiename für eines der Quarks (Charm… …   Universal-Lexikon

  • Charm — Charm, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Charmed}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Charming}.] [Cf. F. charmer. See {Charm}, n.] 1. To make music upon; to tune. [Obs. & R.] [1913 Webster] Here we our slender pipes may safely charm. Spenser. [1913 Webster] 2. To subdue,… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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  • Charm — (ch[aum]rm), n. [F. charme, fr. L. carmen song, verse, incantation, for casmen, akin to Skr. [,c]asman, [,c]as[=a], a laudatory song, from a root signifying to praise, to sing.] 1. A melody; a song. [Obs.] [1913 Webster] With charm of earliest… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • charm — [chärm] n. [ME charme < OFr < L carmen, song, verse, charm < * canmen < canere, to sing: see CHANT] 1. a) a chanted word, phrase, or verse assumed to have magic power to help or hurt; incantation b) the chanting of such a word, phrase …   English World dictionary

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