enchant

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

Enchant’s story begins in Latin: canere meant “to sing.” To sing, combined with in- (upon). Within Latin, it grew into incantare by ancient. To sing a magic spell over, to bewitch, from in- and cantare. From there it passed into Old French as enchanter by medieval. Carried into French for casting a magic spell, or delighting someone greatly. It reached English by 1300s as enchant. Settled as the English word for delighting someone completely, as if by magic. Today, enchant means to fill someone with great delight, or to put a magic spell on them.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient canere "to sing", to sing, combined with in- (upon).
2. Stage 2 · Latin · ancient incantare "to sing a magic spell over, to bewitch", to sing a magic spell over, to bewitch, from in- and cantare.
3. Stage 3 · Old French · medieval enchanter "to cast a magic spell, or to delight someone greatly", carried into French for casting a magic spell, or delighting someone greatly.
4. Stage 4 · English · 1300s enchant "to delight someone completely, as if by magic", settled as the English word for delighting someone completely, as if by magic.