bewitched
UK[bɪˈwɪtʃt]US[bɪˈwɪtʃt]
adj
Affected by witchcraft or magic.
adj
Fascinated or enchanted as if by magic.
Morpheme Breakdown
be
witch
ed
be
witch
ed
Etymology
The word 'bewitched' is built upon the Old English root 'wicca' (masculine) or 'wicce' (feminine), meaning a sorcerer or one who practices magic. The intensive prefix 'be-' was added to form the verb 'bewitch', meaning to affect by witchcraft or to charm utterly. The addition of the past participle suffix '-ed' creates an adjective describing the state of being under such magical influence. Over time, the primary meaning evolved from the literal sense of being subject to sorcery to the more figurative and common modern sense of being captivated or charmed.
Analysis
Structure: be + witch + ed
- be: Old English; an intensive or transitive verb-forming prefix.
- witch: Old English; a root meaning a practitioner of magic or sorcery.
- ed: Old English; a suffix forming the past participle of a verb, here used to create an adjective.
Examples
The old tale spoke of a bewitched forest where travelers would lose their way.
She was utterly bewitched by the pianist's magnificent performance.
The villagers believed the strange illness was caused by a bewitched object.