Jump to content

bewitch

From Wiktionary, the free dictionary

English

[edit]

Etymology

[edit]

From Middle English bewicchen, bewycchen, biwicchen, equivalent to be- +‎ witch.

Pronunciation

[edit]

Verb

[edit]

bewitch (third-person singular simple present bewitches, present participle bewitching, simple past and past participle bewitched)

  1. (transitive) To cast a spell upon.
  2. (transitive) To fascinate or charm.
    Synonym: forspeak (obsolete)
    I was bewitched by the sight of the girl dancing in the forest.
    • 1648, Robert Herrick, “Delight in Disorder”, in Hesperides: Or, The Works both Humane & Divine [], London: [] John Williams, and Francis Eglesfield, and are to be sold by Tho[mas] Hunt, [], →OCLC, page 29:
      A Svveet diſorder in the dreſſe / Kindles in cloathes a vvantonneſſe: / [] / A Cuffe neglectfull, and thereby / Ribbands to flovv confuſedly: / [] / Do more bevvitch me, than vvhen Art / Is too preciſe in every part.
  3. (transitive) To astonish, amaze. (Can we add an example for this sense?)

Derived terms

[edit]

Translations

[edit]