The word "bewitched" is a verb that means to be enchanted or influenced by magic. The spelling of this word can be explained by the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) phonetic transcription. The first syllable is pronounced as the phoneme /b/ followed by the phoneme /ɪ/ in the second syllable. The third and fourth syllables have the phoneme /w/ and the phoneme /ɪtʃ/ respectively. The final syllable is pronounced as the phoneme /t/. So, the IPA transcription of "bewitched" is /bɪˈwɪtʃt/.
Bewitched is an adjective that describes the state of being under the influence or power of a spell, enchantment, or supernatural force. Derived from the verb "bewitch," it refers to the act of casting a spell on someone or something to entrance, fascinate, or control them.
The term is typically associated with magical or mystical practices, often found in folklore, witchcraft, or occult beliefs. When someone is bewitched, they may experience a state of being transfixed, captivated, or enchanted, as if their thoughts, emotions, or actions are being influenced or manipulated by an external force. This can lead to a lack of control or agency over oneself, as if one's will is being overridden by an enchantment or spell.
Bewitchment is often depicted in popular culture through tales of witches and wizards who possess supernatural powers to cast spells on people, objects, or even places. In literature and media, characters who are bewitched may exhibit behaviors that are unusual, out of character, or contrary to their natural inclinations. It can also imply a deep emotional infatuation or obsession, akin to being under a love spell.
While the concept of bewitchment is mainly associated with magic and sorcery, it can also metaphorically describe a state of intense fascination or enchantment produced by something or someone who captivates and holds one's attention, as if they possess an otherworldly power over them.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "bewitched" derives from the combination of two Old English words: "be" and "wiccan".
The Old English word "be" indicates "about" or "thoroughly", while "wiccan" means "to practice sorcery" or "to perform witchcraft". The word "wiccan" itself comes from the Old English noun "wicca", meaning "mage" or "sorcerer".
Over time, "bewitched" evolved to mean under the influence or control of magic or witchcraft. It is commonly used to describe someone who appears to be under a spell or enchanted.