bespell means to cast a spell upon; to enchant, bewitch. It carries an Arena rating of 1661, earned across 3 head-to-head judged battles.
Among words judged in Lexicurio's Arena, bespell ranks #937 of 13,218 for Most Beautiful Words, #1,131 of 13,218 for Most Elegant Words, #3,148 of 13,218 for Scariest Words, #3,259 of 13,218 for Most Whimsical Words.
Why “bespell” is a great word
To cast a spell upon, to enchant or bewitch, capturing the will or senses. From the English prefix be- ("on, upon, about") + spell (noun, "a spoken word or formula of magic power"), first attested in 1894 in the writing of George Meredith. Unlike "ensorcell," which whispers of sorcery's darker arts, or "charm," which often suggests a lighter, pleasing dalliance, to bespell is to invoke a profound and binding arcane influence. It is the silent command that stills a forest, the whispered verse that turns a heart to stone, and the old rhyme that makes a mortal forget their own name—the moment language ceases to describe the world and begins to command it.
Etymology
From be- (“on, upon, about”) + spell.
verb
- To cast a spell upon; to enchant, bewitch.“Andrei doubted Miss Kincaid was of an easily persuaded nature. “I must?” “You cannot bespell her. The thing must be given freely or misfortune rebounds.” Ah, but Andrei had already bespelled the lass. Or mayhap she had bespelled him.”
Words closest in meaning
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