ppl. a. [f. prec. vb. + -ED1.]
1. Influenced by magic power, bewitched, under a spell.
c. 1440. Promp. Parv., 70. Charmyd, incantatus.
1815. Chron., in Ann. Reg., 90/1. A farmer had a daughter … who was seized with a lingering disorder…. He … persuaded himself that his daughter was charmed.
1821. Keats, Lamia, 112. The charmed god began An oath.
2. Affected with a magic spell, so as to possess occult powers or qualities; enchanted.
a. 1535. More, Wks., 377/1 (R.). Besmered with vnhalowed butter as anoynted wyth the holye chrisme, which he calleth charmed oyle.
1596. Spenser, F. Q., I. iv. 50. He beares a charmed shield, And eke enchaunted armes, that none can perce.
1634. Milton, Comus, 51. Circe … whose charmed cup Whoever tasted lost his upright shape.
1798. Coleridge, Anc. Mar., IV. xi. The charmed water.
1877. W. Jones, Finger-ring L., 114. Apollonius … considered the use of charmed rings … essential to quackery.
3. Of persons or lives: Fortified, protected, rendered invulnerable, etc., by a spell or charm.
1605. Shaks., Macb., V. viii. 12. Let fall thy blade on vulnerable Crests, I beare a charmed Life.
1824. W. Irving, T. Trav., II. 245. Hence came … the story of Kidd’s having a charmed life, and that he had to be twice hanged.
1884. Chr. World, 9 Oct., 757/4. General Gordon believes himself to bear a charmed life.
4. Fascinated, greatly delighted.
Mod. She sang to a charmed audience.
