spell2

 
Pronunciation: /spɛl/

noun

  • a form of words used as a magical charm or incantation: a spell is laid on the door to prevent entry
  • a state of enchantment caused by a magic spell: the magician may cast a spell on himself
  • an ability to control or influence people as though one had magical power over them: he woke from her spell

Phrases

under a spell

not fully in control of one’s thoughts and actions: the beauty of the land put me under a spell

under someone's spell

so devoted to someone that they seem to have magic power over one: she needed to have men under her spell

Origin:

Old English spel(l) 'narration', of Germanic origin