n. [ F. charme, fr. L. carmen song, verse, incantation, for casmen, akin to Skr. çasman, çasā, a laudatory song, from a root signifying to praise, to sing. ] 1. A melody; a song. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ] With charm of earliest birds. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ] Free liberty to chant our charms at will. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. A word or combination of words sung or spoken in the practice of magic; a magical combination of words, characters, etc.; an incantation. [ 1913 Webster ] My high charms work. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ] 3. That which exerts an irresistible power to please and attract; that which fascinates; any alluring quality. [ 1913 Webster ] Charms strike the sight, but merit wins the soul. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ] The charm of beauty's powerful glance. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ] 4. Anything worn for its supposed efficacy to the wearer in averting ill or securing good fortune. [ 1913 Webster ] 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. [ 1913 Webster ] 6. (Physics) a property of certain quarks which may take the value of +1, -1 or 0. [ PJC ] Syn. -- Spell; incantation; conjuration; enchantment; fascination; attraction. [ 1913 Webster ] |