charm

• n. 魅力，吸引力；魔力
• vt. 使陶醉；行魔法
• vi. 有魔力；用符咒

來自拉丁詞carmen, 唱歌，念咒，來自詞根can, 吟唱，詞源同chant, cantata. 字母n在m前r化，比較germ, germane, 來自詞根gen, 生育。

charm

charm: [13] Although now largely weakened to mere ‘attractiveness’, the origins of charm are in magic spells and incantations. It comes via Old French charme from Latin carmen ‘song’, which was also used for the chanting or reciting of verses with supposedly magic powers. Thus in the Middle Ages, charms were synonymous with enchantment – either spoken or, in more concrete form, carried as talismans. The latter have degenerated in modern times to small trinkets worn on bracelets, an application first recorded in the mid 19th century.

charm (n.)

c. 1300, "incantation, magic charm," from Old French charme (12c.) "magic charm, magic, spell; incantation, song, lamentation," from Latin carmen "song, verse, enchantment, religious formula," from canere "to sing" (see chant (v.)), with dissimilation of -n- to -r- before -m- in intermediate form *canmen (for a similar evolution, see Latin 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" evolved 17c. Meaning "small trinket fastened to a watch-chain, etc." first recorded 1865. Quantum physics sense is from 1964. To work like a charm (figuratively) is recorded by 1824.

charm (v.)

c. 1300, "to recite or cast a magic spell," from Old French charmer (13c.) "to enchant, to fill (someone) with desire (for something); to protect, cure, treat; to maltreat, harm," from Late Latin carminare, from Latin carmen (see charm (n.)). In Old French used alike of magical and non-magical activity. In English, "to win over by treating pleasingly, delight" from mid-15c. Related: Charmed; charming. Charmed (short for I am charmed) as a conventional reply to a greeting or meeting is attested by 1825.

1. She is very good at using her charm to get her way.

她非常善於利用自己的魅力隨心所欲。

來自柯林斯例句

2. Fearey had all the charm and urbanity of the trained diplomat.

費爾裏具備一個訓練有素的外交官的一切風度和優雅。

來自柯林斯例句

3. Johnson's easy charm contrasted sharply with the prickliness of his boss.

約翰遜的親和力和他老板易怒的性格形成了鮮明的對比。

來自柯林斯例句

4. He has good looks and charm, and always falls on his feet.

他長得很帥，也有魅力，總是走好運。

來自柯林斯例句

5. He was a man of great charm and not inconsiderable wit.

他是魅力十足、機智過人的男人。

來自柯林斯例句