a trinket to be worn on a bracelet, necklace, etc.
5.
something worn or carried on one's person for its supposed magical effect; amulet.
6.
any action supposed to have magical power.
7.
the chanting or recitation of a magic verse or formula.
8.
a verse or formula credited with magical power.
9.
Physics. a quantum number assigned the value +1 for one kind of quark, −1 for its antiquark, and 0 for all other quarks. Symbol:C Compare charmed quark.
–verb (used with object)
10.
to delight or please greatly by beauty, attractiveness, etc.; enchant: She charmed us with her grace.
11.
to act upon (someone or something) with or as with a compelling or magical force: to charm a bird from a tree.
12.
to endow with or protect by supernatural powers.
13.
to gain or influence through personal charm: He charmed a raise out of his boss.
–verb (used without object)
14.
to be fascinating or pleasing.
15.
to use charms.
16.
to act as a charm.
[Origin: 1250–1300; ME charme < OF < L carminem, acc. of carmen song, magical formula < *canmen (by dissimilation), equiv. to can(ere) to sing + -men n. suffix]
The power or quality of pleasing or delighting; attractiveness: a breezy tropical setting of great charm.
A particular quality that attracts; a delightful characteristic: A mischievous grin was among the child's many charms.
A small ornament, such as one worn on a bracelet.
An item worn for its supposed magical benefit, as in warding off evil; an amulet.
An action or formula thought to have magical power.
The chanting of a magic word or verse; incantation.
Physics A quantum property of the charm quark whose conservation explains the absence of certain strange-particle decay modes and that accounts for the longevity of the J particle.
v.
charmed, charm·ing, charms
v.
tr.
To attract or delight greatly: the simple elegance of the meal charmed the guests.
To induce by using strong personal attractiveness: charmed the guard into admitting them without invitations.
To cast or seem to cast a spell on; bewitch.
v.
intr.
To be alluring or pleasing.
To function as an amulet or charm.
To use magic spells.
[Middle English charme, magic spell, from Old French, from Latin carmen, incantation; see kan- in Indo-European roots.]
charm'ing·ly adv., charm'less adj.
Synonyms: These verbs mean to attract strongly or irresistibly: manners that charmed the old curmudgeon; delicacies that beguile even the most discerning gourmet; a performance that bewitched the audience; a novel that captivates its readers; a child who enchanted his grandparents; music that entrances its listeners; a celebrity who fascinated his interviewer.
c.1300, from O.Fr. charme "incantation," from L. carmen "song, verse, enchantment," from canere "to sing" (see chant), with dissimilation of -n- to -r- before -m-. The notion is of chanting or reciting verses of magical power. Sense of "pleasing quality" first recorded 1598. Meaning "small trinket fastened to a watch-chain, etc." first recorded 1865.
attractiveness that interests or pleases or stimulates; "his smile was part of his appeal to her" [syn: appeal]
2.
a verbal formula believed to have magical force; "he whispered a spell as he moved his hands"; "inscribed around its base is a charm in Balinese" [syn: spell]
3.
something believed to bring good luck
4.
(physics) one of the six flavors of quark
verb
1.
attract; cause to be enamored; "She captured all the men's hearts"
2.
control by magic spells, as by practicing witchcraft
3.
protect through supernatural powers or charms
4.
induce into action by using one's charm; "She charmed him into giving her all his money"
One of the flavors of quarks, contributing to the charm number—a quantum number—for hadrons.
A charmed particle is a particle that contains at least one charmed quark or charmed antiquark. The charmed quark was hypothesized to account for the longevity of the J/psi particle and to explain differences in the behavior of leptons and hadrons. See more at flavor.
Charm\, 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.] With charm of earliest birds. --Milton. Free liberty to chant our charms at will. --Spenser. 2. A word or combination of words sung or spoken in the practice of magic; a magical combination of words, characters, etc.; an incantation. My high charms work. --Shak. 3. That which exerts an irresistible power to please and attract; that which fascinates; any alluring quality. Charms strike the sight, but merit wins the soul. --Pope. The charm of beauty's powerful glance. --Milton. 4. Anything worn for its supposed efficacy to the wearer in averting ill or securing good fortune. 5. Any small decorative object worn on the person, as a seal, a key, a silver whistle, or the like. Bunches of charms are often worn at the watch chain. Syn: Syn. - Spell; incantation; conjuration; enchantment; fascination; attraction.
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.] Here we our slender pipes may safely charm. --Spenser. 2. To subdue, control, or summon by incantation or supernatural influence; to affect by magic. No witchcraft charm thee! --Shak. 3. To subdue or overcome by some secret power, or by that which gives pleasure; to allay; to soothe. Music the fiercest grief can charm. --Pope. 4. To attract irresistibly; to delight exceedingly; to enchant; to fascinate. They, on their mirth and dance Intent, with jocund music charm his ear. --Milton. 5. To protect with, or make invulnerable by, spells, charms, or supernatural influences; as, a charmed life. I, in my own woe charmed, Could not find death. --Shak. Syn: Syn. - To fascinate; enchant; enrapture; captivate; bewitch; allure; subdue; delight; entice; transport.
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.] Here we our slender pipes may safely charm. --Spenser. 2. To subdue, control, or summon by incantation or supernatural influence; to affect by magic. No witchcraft charm thee! --Shak. 3. To subdue or overcome by some secret power, or by that which gives pleasure; to allay; to soothe. Music the fiercest grief can charm. --Pope. 4. To attract irresistibly; to delight exceedingly; to enchant; to fascinate. They, on their mirth and dance Intent, with jocund music charm his ear. --Milton. 5. To protect with, or make invulnerable by, spells, charms, or supernatural influences; as, a charmed life. I, in my own woe charmed, Could not find death. --Shak. Syn: Syn. - To fascinate; enchant; enrapture; captivate; bewitch; allure; subdue; delight; entice; transport.