Ensorcelment

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. The act of placing a magic spell on a person so that they fall under a sorcerer's control ; the condition of being held in thrall by such a spell
2. Casting a charm or enchantment over someone through sorcery ; the resulting state of being spellbound and captivated by magical influence
3. Enchantment through occult power that binds a person's will or attention, leaving them entranced by a witch's or sorcerer's craft

Etymology: "Ensorcelment" is built from "ensorcel," meaning to bewitch or enchant by sorcery, with the English suffix "-ment" attached. The verb "ensorcel" is itself formed from "en-," a prefix meaning "into" or "to make," and "sorcel," an older English form of "sorcery" or "sorcerer" drawn from Old French. The pairing is a typical English pattern: a verb built on a French-derived stem gets the native-style "-ment" ending, which turns an action into the noun naming the result of that action. The suffix "-ment" came into English from Old French, where it was used to make nouns from verbs, as in "government" or "judgment." Attaching it to "ensorcel" produces a noun for the state or result of being bewitched, so the word names the enchantment itself rather than the act of casting a spell.

Synonyms: enchantment, bewitchment, spell, charm, witchery

Antonyms: disenchantment, disillusionment