Note: Do not rely on this information. It is very old.
Charm
Charm, a form of words repeated or written with intent to bring about some supernatural result. The word passed into English through the French, from the Latin, in which language it was originally applied to a magical formula (Hor. Ep. xvii. 4), and, by extension, to any magical rite (Verg. Ecl. viii.). A similar extension of meaning has taken place in our own use of the word.