charm etymology

Etymology:

  • Old French: charme
  • Latin: carmen ("incantation, spell, song")
  • Proto-Indo-European: *kwer- ("to turn")

Meaning:

  1. A quality or characteristic that pleases, attracts, or captivates.
  2. A small object or piece of jewelry worn for its aesthetic value or as a symbol of something.
  3. A spell or incantation believed to have magical powers.

Origin:

The word "charm" ultimately derives from the Proto-Indo-European root *kwer-, meaning "to turn." This root is also the origin of words such as "choir" and "chorus," which refer to groups of people singing or speaking in unison.

In Latin, the word carmen could refer to both songs and incantations. This reflects the ancient belief that music and magic were closely connected.

Over time, the meaning of "charm" evolved to include the idea of something that is pleasing or attractive. This is likely due to the fact that incantations were often used to invoke positive outcomes, such as love, fertility, or protection.

In the Middle Ages, charms were often worn as amulets or talismans to ward off evil spirits or promote good luck. This practice continues today, although charms are now more often seen as decorative objects.

charm relate terms

  • charmer

    Etymology The word charmer is derived from the Old French word charmer which in turn

  • charm

    Etymology Old French charme Latin carmen incantation spell song Proto Indo Euro

  • charming

    Etymology The word charming originates from the Old French word charmer which means

  • charm

    Etymology Old French charme Latin carmen incantation spell song Proto Indo Euro

  • accent

    Etymology From Middle English accent borrowed from Old French accent derived from

  • cant

    Etymology From Middle English canten ultimately from Old French chantere to sing

  • cantabile

    Etymology Italian cantabile from Latin cantabilis From cantare to sing bi

  • cantata

    Etymology Cantata comes from the Italian word cantare meaning to sing Meaning an

  • cantatrice

    Etymology The word cantatrice comes from the Italian word cantatrice which in turn

  • canticle

    Etymology The word canticle is derived from the Latin canticulum meaning a little

  • canto

    Etymology The word canto comes from the Italian word canto which in turn is derived

  • cantor

    Etymology The word cantor comes from the Latin word cantor which is derived from the

  • canzone

    Etymology Canzone is an Italian word derived from the Latin cantio meaning song

  • Carmen

    Etymology and Meaning The name Carmen is of Latin origin and means song or poem It

  • chanson

    Etymology French chanson from Old French chanson from Latin cantionem nominati

  • chant

    Etymology The word chant originates from the Old French word chanter which in turn

  • chanter

    Etymology Middle English chanten from Old French chançon chanter from Late Latin ca

  • chanteuse

    Etymology French feminine form of chanteur singer From Old French chantere f

  • chanty

    Etymology The word chanty is derived from the Old French word chanter meaning to s

  • chanticleer

    Etymology The word chanticleer is derived from the following sources Old English c

  • charm

    Etymology Old French charme Latin carmen incantation spell song Proto Indo Euro

  • concent

    Etymology The word concent derives from the Latin word concentus which means agree

  • descant

    Etymology Origin Old French descant Meaning Song added to a plainchant Root Latin des

  • enchant

    Etymology The word enchant derives from the Old French word enchanter which in turn

  • enchantment

    Etymology The word enchantment derives from the Old French word enchantement which

  • incantation

    Etymology The word incantation derives from the Latin word incantare which means t

  • incentive

    Etymology Latin incentivus Indo European ken kenk to urge Meaning Somethi

  • oscine

    Etymology Latin oscen Proto Indo European awe awi bird Meaning A type of bir

  • precentor

    Etymology The word precentor is derived from the Latin word praecentor which means

  • recant

    Etymology The word recant comes from the Latin verb recantare which means to sing b

  • trance

    Etymology The word trance comes from the Old French word trans to cross and the La

  • catch

    Etymology The word catch comes from the Middle English word cacchen which itself der

  • delight

    Etymology The word delight comes from the Middle English word delit which in turn de

  • jinx

    Etymology The word jinx is derived from the Scottish word jinx meaning to bewitch

  • fascinate

    Etymology Medieval Latin fascinare to bewitch enchant Latin fascinum evil eye fa

  • delectation

    Etymology Latin dēlectātiō meaning pleasure delight Latin dēlectāre meaning

  • influence

    Etymology Middle English influence from Old French influence from Late Latin influ

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  • flavor

    Etymology The word flavor derives from the Old French word flaveor or flaveur whi