[f. CHARM v.1]
1. The operation or using of charms; the working of spells; enchantment, incantation.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 28311. I … folud wiche-crafte and frete, and charmyng.
c. 1340. Hampole, Prose Tr., 9. In this comandement es forboden … all wychecrafte and charemynge.
1388. Wyclif, Jer. viii. 17. The werste serpentis, to whiche is no charmyng [1382 enchaunting].
1570. B. Googe, Pop. Kingd., iii. (1880), 33. Masse … makes their charmings vaine.
1647. May, Hist. Parl., II. i. 8. Cruelty in the Irish was thought to be much encreased by the charmings of their Priests.
1774. Goldsm., Nat. Hist., VII. 214. It was supposed that serpents could be charmed, and had also a power of charming.
1850. N. & Q., Ser. I. II. 36/1. The power of curing diseases by ‘charming.’
2. Fascination, charm (obs.); now gerundially, fascinating, delighting.
1720. Welton, Suffer. Son of God, II. xiv. 383. Grant that I may be Ravisht with Thy Charmings.
Mod. She has lost none of her power of charming.
3. attrib. and Comb. (in sense 1), as charming-cup, -rod, -wand.
1601. Weever, Mirr. Mart., D ij.
| Nay Mercurie, if with thy charming wand, | |
| Thou had’st descended from the Olimpique spheares. |
1633. Massinger, Guardian, V. ii. Wks. 1761, IV. 75. Mercury Hath travel’d this Way with his charming Rod.
1642. Milton, Apol. Smect. (1851), 272. Chastity and love … whose charming cup is only vertue.
1662. Ogilby, King’s Coronation, 2. A bloody Sword in one Hand, a charming Rod in the other.
