charm

Where does the word "charm" come from? It comes from Latin carmen, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

Charm’s story begins in Latin: carmen meant “song, incantation.” A magic chant. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as charme. A magic spell. It reached English by 1300s as charm. The sense 'attractiveness' dates from the 1600s. Today, charm means the power to delight; a small trinket.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient carmen "song, incantation", a magic chant.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval charme "spell", a magic spell.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1300s charm "spell", the sense 'attractiveness' dates from the 1600s.