bewitch

[bih-wich] /bɪˈwɪtʃ/
verb (used with object)
1.
to affect by witchcraft or magic; cast a spell over.
2.
to enchant; charm; fascinate.
Origin
1175-1225; Middle English biwicchen. See be-, witch
Related forms
bewitcher, noun
bewitchery, noun
bewitchingness, noun
bewitchment, noun
unbewitched, adjective
Synonyms
2. captivate, enrapture, transport.
Examples from the web for bewitch
  • At its highest level, wine can bewitch and bewilder, transfix and inspire.
  • She continued to bewitch, bullying her at times reluctant acolytes with a maddening form of mystical dominion.
  • When ripe and ready to eat, the pear has a honeyed flavor and beckoning perfume that bewitch your senses.
British Dictionary definitions for bewitch

bewitch

/bɪˈwɪtʃ/
verb (transitive)
1.
to attract and fascinate; enchant
2.
to cast a spell over
Derived Forms
bewitching, adjective
bewitchingly, adverb
Word Origin
C13 bewicchen; see be-, witch
Word Origin and History for bewitch
v.

c.1200, biwicchen, from be- + Old English wiccian "to enchant, to practice witchcraft" (see witch). Literal at first, figurative sense of "to fascinate" is from 1520s. *Bewiccian may well have existed in Old English, but it is not attested. Related: Bewitched; bewitching; bewitchingly.