Ensorcements

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. Acts or processes of casting spells or charms to produce magical effects ; enchantments or bewitchments that influence or control through supernatural means
2. The state or condition of being magically enchanted or under a spell ; acts of applying magical power to alter or manipulate reality or perception
3. Instances or applications of magical invocation or charm-working ; supernatural influences employed to affect people, objects, or situations through mystical or occult power

Etymology: "Ensorcelments" and "ensorcellment" are the forms of the verb "ensorcell," which comes from Old French "ensorceler," meaning to bewitch. The French verb was built from the prefix "en-" plus "sorcier," meaning sorcerer, and that noun traces back through Late Latin "sortiarius," a caster of lots, from "sors," meaning lot or fate. So the root idea is of someone who works by drawing lots, a form of divination. English took the verb from French and used it mostly in a literal sense of casting spells on someone. The noun forms, ending in "-ment" and "-ments," follow the usual pattern for turning an action into a thing done. The plural "ensorcelments" refers to multiple acts of enchantment or spells, while the singular names the act in general.

Synonyms: enchantments, spells, charms, bewitchments, hexes

Antonyms: disenchantments, exorcisms