charm

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

来自拉丁词carmen, 唱歌，念咒，来自词根can, 吟唱，词源同chant, cantata. 字母n在m前r化，比较germ, germane, 来自词根gen, 生育。

1. attractiveness that interests or pleases or stimulates;

"his smile was part of his appeal to her"

2. a verbal formula believed to have magical force;

"he whispered a spell as he moved his hands"

"inscribed around its base is a charm in Balinese"

3. something believed to bring good luck

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.

attract, charm, enchant, fascinate, tempt

这些动词均含有"吸引，引诱"之意。

attract：普通用词，指客观上吸引人的注意力。

charm：侧重迷住某人或使之高兴。

enchant：着重指有能力引起被迷住者的欢乐或赞美。

fascinate：通常含使人无法拒绝、无法摆脱的意味。

tempt：指吸引力很强，强调欲望被唤醒。

This is Aesop, the fabulist ( ' , 寓言家 ), the man of these charming little tales, often told in terms of animals and animal relationships, He says.

出自-2016年6月阅读原文

The traditional view of such moments is that they constitute a charming but irrelevant byproduct of youth— something to be pushed aside to make room for more important qualities, like perseverance ( ' , 坚持不懈 ), obligation, and practicality.

出自-2015年12月阅读原文

For sociable souls, meeting new people by staying in their homes is part of the charm.

出自-2013年12月阅读原文

This is hardly revolutionary, but it is presented in a charming format.

出自-2013年6月阅读原文

Those qualities that make interaction with other people enjoyable would be simulated as closely as possible, and the machine would appear to be charming stimulating, and easygoing

出自-2013年6月听力原文

Not only had she found the highest paying job of her career, but she'd also accepted a date with the most charming men she'd ever met.

出自-2011年6月听力原文

He has led a charmed life (= he has been lucky even in dangerous or difficult situations) .

他的日子过得如有神佑（即使遇到艰险都能逢凶化吉）。

牛津词典

her physical charms (= her beauty)

她那妩媚的外貌

牛津词典

a lucky charm

吉祥饰物

牛津词典

a charm bracelet

带有吉祥饰物的手镯

牛津词典

He was charmed by her beauty and wit.

他被她的才貌迷住了。

牛津词典

Her words had lost their power to charm.

她的话再也没有吸引力了。

牛津词典

a man of great charm

富有魅力的男人

牛津词典

The hotel is full of charm and character.

这家旅馆风格独特，极具吸引力。

牛津词典

They cross their fingers and spit over their shoulders as charms against the evil eye.

他们手指交叉，向身后吐口水，作为抵抗邪眼的魔法。

柯林斯高阶英语词典

...a good luck charm.

护身符

柯林斯高阶英语词典

He figured out that you're lonely, like most widows, and he turned on the charm.

他看出你和大多数寡妇一样很寂寞，所以就拿出他的魅力来了。

柯林斯高阶英语词典

Economically, the policy worked like a charm.

从经济上说，这个政策非常奏效。

柯林斯高阶英语词典

He is good at charming money out of companies.

他擅长利用自己的魅力从各家公司套钱。

柯林斯高阶英语词典

He was a man of great charm and distinction.

他这个人魅力十足，卓尔不群。

柯林斯高阶英语词典

He even charmed Mrs Prichard, carrying her shopping and flirting with her, though she's 83...

他又是帮普里查德夫人拎买的东西，又是和她调情，居然把83岁高龄的她也给迷倒了。

柯林斯高阶英语词典

The Indians, in turn, were charmed by the famous author's cultured and civilised outlook...

而印第安人呢，则为那位著名作家有教养的、开化的见解而折服。

柯林斯高阶英语词典

...charming his way into the British Embassy in Teheran...

靠他的个人魅力打入英国驻德黑兰大使馆

柯林斯高阶英语词典

He charmed his way out of trouble.

他运用自己的魅力摆脱了麻烦。

柯林斯高阶英语词典

'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs', the 1937 Disney classic, has lost none of its original charm...

1937年迪斯尼推出的经典之作《白雪公主和七个小矮人》魅力不减当年。

柯林斯高阶英语词典

The house had its charms, not the least of which was the furniture that came with it.

这座房子有其吸引人的地方，比如和房子配套的家具就很出彩。

柯林斯高阶英语词典

His story sounds incredible.

他讲的这些,听起来难以相信.

期刊摘选

Try to catch the elusive charm of the original in translation.

翻译时设法把握住原文中难以捉摸的风韵.

《现代汉英综合大词典》

With all imperfections the short play has a real charm.

尽管有不少缺欠,这出小戏仍颇具魅力.

《现代汉英综合大词典》

He could resist her charm no longer.

他再也抗拒不住她的魅力.

《现代汉英综合大词典》

The charm is irresistible.

这种魅力是无法抵御的.

《现代汉英综合大词典》