[charm] n [ME charme, fr. MF, fr. L carmen song, fr. canere to sing--more at chant] (14c) 1 a: the chanting or reciting of a magic spell: incantation b: a practice or expression believed to have magic power
2: something worn about the person to ward off evil or ensure good fortune: amulet 3 a: a trait that fascinates, allures, or delights b: a physical grace or attraction--used in pl. c: compelling attractiveness "the island possessed great ~"
4: a small ornament worn on a bracelet or chain
5: a quantum characteristic of subatomic particles that accounts for the unexpectedly long lifetime of the J/psi particle, explains difficulties in the theory of the weak force, is conserved in interactions involving electromagnetism or the strong force, and has a value of zero for most known particles -- charm.less adj
[2]charm vt (14c) 1 a: to affect by or as if by magic: compel b: to please, soothe, or delight by compelling attraction "~s customers with his suave manner"
2: to endow with or as if with supernatural powers by means of charms; also: to protect by or as if by spells, charms, or supernatural influences
3: to control (an animal) typically by charms (as the playing of music) "~ a snake" ~ vi 1: to practice magic and enchantment
2: to have the effect of a charm: fascinate syn see attract -- charm.er n