enchant [LME] Enchant is from French enchanter, from Latin incantare, which was based on cantare ‘to sing’, the noun enchanter [ME] being earlier than the verb. These Latin words gave us chant [LME], canticle [ME] a ‘little song’, and incantation [LME]. The original meanings of enchant were ‘to put under a spell’ and ‘to delude’. Enchanter’s nightshade [L16th] was believed by early botanists to be the herb used in potions by the enchantress Circe of Greek mythology, who charmed Odysseus’ companions and turned them into pigs. See charm, incentive.