Charm \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.]
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.
6. (Physics) a property of certain quarks which may take the value of +1, -1 or 0. [PJC]
Charm \Charm\, v. i. 1. To use magic arts or occult power; to make use of charms.
The voice of charmers, charming never so wisely. --Ps. lviii. 5.
2. To act as, or produce the effect of, a charm; to please greatly; to be fascinating.
3. To make a musical sound. [Obs.] --Milton.
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.]
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.
If this BBC/A&E adaptation of Durrell's famous memoir has half the charm of the book it will be too good to miss.
Mao did not attend the funeral ceremony, an absence Han Suyin does not note. Zhou was, of course, a very considerable leader of great charm which I have seen him use to enormous effect while manipulating a roomful of foreign journalists.
The musical numbers are for chorus and/or basso, and have all the charm and power of the finest Rossini.
A light, dry baritone, he has energy, charm, and edge without great depth. Hamlet at the Comedie-Francaise is in repertory with other plays until June 30. Hamlet at the Marigny is being given until May.
For that he was made a furnace stoker. It happened to many." We walked through the streets and main square of the inner city, my uncle convincing me that my vague remembrance of Old World charm was not mere nostalgia.
Where others would have been content to have their novels glisten with the charm of the 'native', Gurnah's novel throbs with the passion of a visionary.
The Tony- and Oscar-winning actor, remembered for his wit and charm as well as his versatility and skill on the stage and screen, died in his sleep early Saturday at his Manhattan home.
Until late in his life an office and secretary in the Cabinet Office were reserved for his use. For more than 50 years Solly Zuckerman continued to tell people unpalatable truths, sometimes with charm but often with impatience.
As a tinny recording of the Stompin' Tom Connors classic blared from a loudspeaker, the royal couple left the hospital and waded into a large crowd to charm and chat.
He cannot charm his way out of a just verdict.
He had a private education which gave him all the traditional social graces and charm of the Southern gentleman, and travelled the world with his parents.
Martin would dazzle them with her sweet, pure singing voice and make them laugh with her tomboyish charm and sense of fun.
The guide cited the areas mild climate and "easygoing charm." The Poly Royal was established as a showcase of student accomplishments, but parties and entertainment have become part of it.
It was an irresistible and enchanting performance, the epitome of a particular charm and grace of manner.
His sincerity and quiet charm made him a goodwill ambassador for the city.
Equally, its charm makes Echikatsu good for romance. Ask your hotel or secretary to book a room facing the garden and to get Echikatsu to fax you a map.
So, rather understandably, the charm of the car's resurrection is lost on the company.
Originally the piece trod a skilful path over an abyss of Victorian prettiness and excessive Mendelssohnian charm.
He seldom goes on the attack; when he does, he tends to use a gentlemanly stiletto, not a cudgel. He damns with faint praise: Paul Theroux's "Sailing Through China," he writes, "has the charm of fragments."
As for the songs, they have a certain charm and, although Nail's voice is thin, it is easy on the ear.
Restored to its former grace and charm, the villa recreates the life and times of the writers, artists and musicians who gathered there for his fashionable Friday soirees.
He adorns his models with enormous charm bracelets with sea-motif charms, large beaded necklaces and chain belts.
At times the language is played more for sensuous charm than for disturbing force; and only Cara Kelly, in the central role of Pegeen, goes for a thoroughly three-dimensional realisation of a role.
Stuart Cassidy - always a model of virile charm, though slightly too solemn and with no particular brilliance - partnered her beautifully.
With only a couple of nods to the passage of time (the daughter's fiance wants her to be a great architect and there's a joke about condoms), the new version adheres to the conventional approach of the original, but with a charm all its own.
Why should Bush score more poorly than Reagan among women? "Reagan has far more charm than Bush ever will have.
The 40, who include Italian author Umberto Eco (left) and French semiologist Jacques Derrida, said the far right was conducting a 'charm offensive' to legitimise itself in mainstream circles.
Redford has long been known as one of Hollywood's premier do-gooders, using the rugged, casual charm that launched his film career to call attention to environmental issues.
They all needed money." Miss Tully, by nature a person of dignity, reserve and gracious charm, was talked into allowing Alice Tully Hall to be named for her for by John D. Rockefeller III. "I would have liked it better being anonymous.
A bunch of Sapphic cowgirls chewing on 1960s dialogue in a no-address, no-narrative prairieland holds less charm than the earlier three-way pile-up of Shakespeare, gay rights and existential comedy.