[f. CHARM v.1 + -ING2.]
1. Using charms; exercising magic power.
1382. Wyclif, 1 Kings xxviii. 7. Sechith to me a womman havynge a charmynge goost.
1483. Cath. Angl., 59. Charmynge, incantans, carminans, fascinans.
1584. R. Scot, Discov. Witchcr., XII. vii. 183. And beates downe frute with charming strokes.
1591. Shaks., 1 Hen. VI., V. iii. 31. Now helpe ye charming Spelles.
1712. Blackmore, Creation, VII. 550. Her charming Song the Syren sings in vain.
2. Fascinating; highly pleasing or delightful to the mind or senses. (At first distinctly fig. from 1, but now used without any thought of that, and as a milder word than enchanting.)
1663. Gerbier, Counsel, A v b. A Palace so charming, as to hinder furious Mars himself to lay his destructive hands thereon.
a. 1700. Dryden, Death very yng. Gentleman, 3. O charming youth! in the first opening page.
1711. Addison, Spect., No. 89, ¶ 3. She is however in my Eye a very charming old Woman.
1716–8. Lady M. W. Montague, Lett., I. xix. 60. I love that charming princess, if I may use so familiar an expression.
1840. Thackeray, Catherine, ii. Was not Wilkes the … charmingest … man?
1875. Jowett, Plato (ed. 2), III. 447. Women and children think variety charming.
1880. Mrs. Forrester, Roy & V., I. 2. The Empress is looking charming.
† 3. With a mixture of the sense of CHARM sb.2
1643. Milton, Divorce, I. Pref., ad fin. To follow freely the charming pipe of him who sounded and proclaimed liberty and relief. Ibid. (1671), P. R., II. 363. And all the while harmonious airs were heard Of chiming strings or charming pipes.
