bewitchment

bewitchment — noun

1. the ability or action of controlling or strongly attracting someone through magi

1.名詞C1
釋義

the ability or action of controlling or strongly attracting someone through magic or personal charm, as if casting a spell over them

例句

The old woman's bewitchment of the village chief was rumored to have started with a single glance.

pattern: bewitchment of + person

Stories of the witch's bewitchment spread through the town, and no family dared to cross her.

同義詞
  • enchantment

    more neutral, can refer to a pleasant feeling rather than deliberate magic

  • sorcery

    stronger focus on actual magical practice rather than personal charm

  • fascination

    only covers the charm aspect, not literal magic

反義詞
  • repulsion

    the opposite effect of driving people away rather than attracting them

文法句型

bewitchment of + object

用法筆記

Typically uncountable in this sense; frequently appears in literary, folkloric, or historical contexts rather than everyday conversation.

常見錯誤

❌The magician's bewitchment was impressive.
✅The magician's bewitchment of the audience left everyone staring in wonder.
💡This sense needs a clear object after 'of' to show the action or power being directed at someone.

2. a set of spoken words, written symbols, or ritual actions that is intended to pl

2.名詞C2
釋義

a set of spoken words, written symbols, or ritual actions that is intended to place someone under a magical influence

例句

Yuna found a handwritten bewitchment hidden inside the pages of the old leather-bound book.

pattern: find + bewitchment

The village elder claimed that only a stronger bewitchment could break the one already cast on the crops.

同義詞
  • spell

    the standard everyday word; 'bewitchment' is more literary and specific

  • charm

    usually refers to a milder or protective spell rather than a controlling one

  • incantation

    emphasises the spoken or chanted nature of the magic

文法句型

cast + bewitchment

bewitchment + verb

用法筆記

Countable in this sense — each bewitchment is a specific spell. More common in fantasy literature and folk tales than in modern spoken English; the simpler word 'spell' is preferred in everyday use.

常見錯誤

❌She cast a bewitchment on him.
✅She cast a spell on him using an ancient bewitchment from the book.
💡In everyday speech, 'cast a spell' is the natural phrasing; 'bewitchment' sounds overly formal for the act of casting.

3. the condition of being under the control of a magical spell or of being so stron

3.名詞C1
釋義

the condition of being under the control of a magical spell or of being so strongly attracted to someone or something that you cannot think clearly

例句

Amihan lay in a deep bewitchment, unable to speak or move as the spell tightened its hold.

pattern: in + bewitchment

The whole audience fell under the bewitchment of the dancer's slow, graceful movements.

collocation: fall under + bewitchment

同義詞
  • enchantment

    warmer in tone, often implies pleasant wonder rather than control

  • trance

    implies a sleeplike or unconscious state rather than active attraction

  • captivation

    focuses on the attraction aspect, without any magical connotation

反義詞
  • disenchantment

    the process of being freed from a spell or losing one's attraction

文法句型

under + bewitchment

in + bewitchment

bewitchment + by/with

用法筆記

Can be used for both literal magical control and figurative strong attraction. The figurative sense ('the bewitchment of falling in love') is more common in modern writing.

常見錯誤

❌He was in bewitchment.
✅He was under a strange bewitchment that no healer could explain.
💡The phrase 'in bewitchment' is rare; 'under + bewitchment' is the standard pattern, usually with a modifier.