bewitched
bewitched
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "bewitched" is:
/bɪˈwɪt͡ʃ/ (Some dictionaries may also list /bəˈwɪt͡ʃ/, with a schwa in the first syllable)
Here's a breakdown of the sounds by syllable:
be- (bɪ)
/b/: voiced bilabial plosive (similar to the "b" sound in "boy")
/ɪ/: near-close near-front unrounded vowel (similar to the "i" sound in "bit")
witch (wɪt͡ʃ)
/w/: labiovelar approximant (rounded consonant sound similar to "w" in "wet")
/ɪ/: near-close near-front unrounded vowel (similar to the "i" sound in "bit")
/t͡ʃ/: voiceless alveolar affricate (a combined "t" and "sh" sound)
Word Form Variations
"Bewitched" itself doesn't have variations based on singular or plural. It functions as a verb (to cast a spell) and an adjective (under a spell).
Here are the variations you might encounter:
Verb:
Present tense (singular and plural): bewitches
Past tense (singular and plural): bewitched
Present participle: bewitching
Past participle: bewitched
Adjective: No variation (bewitched remains the same)
There's also a noun based on the term:
Bewitchment: The act of bewitching or the state of being bewitched.
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Definitions, Synonyms, Antonyms
Verb
Definition:
To place someone or something under a spell, causing a magical or supernatural effect. (Synonyms: enchant, hex, curse)
(Figurative) To deeply charm or captivate someone. (Synonyms: mesmerize, enthrall, entrance)
Antonyms: disenchant, bless, liberate
Example (Literal): The evil witch bewitched the princess, turning her into a frog.
Example (Figurative): The audience was bewitched by the dancer's graceful movements.
Adjective
Definition:
Under the influence of a spell or magic. (Synonyms: enchanted, hexed, cursed)
(Figurative) Deeply captivated or charmed by something. (Synonyms: mesmerized, enthralled, entranced)
Antonyms: disenchanted, uncursed, indifferent
Example (Literal): The villagers believed the old house was bewitched.
Example (Figurative): He stood there bewitched, unable to take his eyes off the painting.
Noun (Related Term)
Bewitchment:
Definition:
The act of casting a spell on someone or something.
The state of being under a spell. (Synonyms: enchantment, hex, curse)
Antonyms: disenchantment, blessing, liberation
Example: The villagers feared the witch's bewitchment.
Examples of Use
Literature:
Classic Fairy Tales: In Snow White, the Evil Queen uses an enchanted apple to bewitch Snow White (various versions).
Modern Fantasy: In the Harry Potter series, characters can bewitch objects to give them magical properties (J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone).
Newspapers/Online Publications:
Figurative Use: A headline might read: "The Public Bewitched by the New Viral Dance Craze" (hypothetical headline).
Entertainment Media:
TV Show Title: The classic sitcom "Bewitched" (1964-1972) features a witch who marries a mortal man and tries to live a normal life.
Movie Description: A movie trailer might describe a film as a "bewitching tale of romance and adventure." (hypothetical description)
General Public Discourse:
Figurative Description: Someone might say, "I was bewitched by the beauty of the sunset."
Superstition: In some cultures, people might believe their house is bewitched if they experience strange occurrences.
Social Media:
Positive Experience: A tweet might say, "Just finished this book, and I'm completely bewitched by the characters!"
Negative Experience: A review on a restaurant site might say, "The service was so slow, it was like we were bewitched to wait forever!"
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10 Famous Quotes Using the term Bewitched
While there aren't many famous quotes that literally use the word "bewitched" due to its potential for a more dated feel, here are ten quotes that capture the essence of the word's meaning:
"You have bewitched me, body and soul, and I love, I love, I love you!" - Mr. Darcy's famous declaration of love in Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. (This quote captures the figurative sense of being captivated by someone)
"Half of everything is ruined by wanting more." - Jeanette Winterson (This quote expresses the bewitching nature of desire)
"The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever." - Jacques Cousteau (This quote describes the captivating power of the ocean, similar to a spell)
"The only true wealth is time." - The Arabian Nights (This quote highlights the enchanting nature of time, something we can't get back)
"It is a curious thing, the death of a beloved friend." - George Eliot, Middlemarch (This quote conveys the feeling of being stunned and bewildered by grief, similar to being under a spell)
"I do not know what it is about the air that makes the sky so blue, or the reason the wind whispers secrets to the leaves. But I know it has something to do with magic." - Dan Millman, Way of the Peaceful Warrior (This quote describes the magical and enchanting quality of nature)
"The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you." - B.B. King (This quote highlights the captivating nature of knowledge, once gained it stays with you)
"The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be." - Ralph Waldo Emerson (This quote describes the power we have to shape our own destiny, a kind of self-enchantment)
"The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra." - Jimmy Johnson (This quote highlights the transformative power of small changes, similar to a spell)
"There is a pleasure in the pathless woods, A rapture in the lonely shore, There is society, where none intrudes, By the deep sea, and music in its roar; I love not man the less, but Nature more." - Lord Byron, Childe Harold's Pilgrimage (This quote describes the enchanting and captivating power of nature)
Etymology
The word "bewitched" is like a magic spell itself, built from two older words!
Witch: This one's pretty clear. It refers to someone who practises magic, often portrayed as casting spells.
Be-: This part is a prefix, kind of like a mini-word stuck onto the front. It means "to cause something to happen" or "to make something be."
So, if we put these two pieces together, "bewitch" literally means "to make something be witched," or "to put a spell on something."
The word first appeared around the 1300s in English, and back then it mainly referred to the literal sense of being under a magical curse.
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Phrases + Idioms Containing the term Bewitched
Be bewitched by something: This is the most common usage, meaning to be completely captivated or charmed by something. (e.g., "The audience was bewitched by the magician's performance.")
Under a spell: This idiom is synonymous with being bewitched, implying a powerful influence that's hard to resist. (e.g., "She seemed to be under a spell, unable to take her eyes off him.")
Bewitching: Used as an adjective to describe something that is captivating or enchanting. (e.g., "The singer had a bewitching voice that left everyone speechless.")
Love potion: A potion believed to make someone fall in love, often used metaphorically for someone who is irresistibly charming. (e.g., "Some people think her beauty is like a love potion.")
Cast a spell: This refers to the act of using magic to influence someone or something. It can be used figuratively to describe someone who is very persuasive or captivating. (e.g., "The new teacher cast a spell on the students with her enthusiasm.")
Bewitchingly beautiful: This emphasises the captivating nature of someone's beauty. (e.g., "She had bewitchingly beautiful eyes that sparkled with mischief.")
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Source Information
Definition of bewitched from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
