核心畫面

One way to hold this word: something has been laid on you, and while it lasts you cannot move away. In a story that something is a spell, and the stays asleep. Outside the story the same shape is still there, only softer: a poem, a lane of lanterns, an old song holds you in place, and you stand there longer than you meant to.

可以想成這個畫面:有樣東西落在你身上,只要它還在,你就走不開。在故事裡,那樣東西是咒語,於是沉睡的人繼續睡。走出故事更多收起可以想成這個畫面:有樣東西落在你身上,只要它還在,你就走不開。在故事裡,那樣東西是咒語,於是沉睡的人繼續睡。走出故事以後,形狀還是一樣的,只是變柔了:一首詩、一條掛滿燈籠的巷子、一首老歌把你留在原地,你站著的時間比原本打算的久。

From the word’s history

The source records the noun as coming through Middle English enchauntement from Old French enchantement, and the modern word still splits as enchant plus -ment, the act or the result of enchanting.

來源紀錄這個字經由中古英文 enchauntement,來自古法文 enchantement。今天它仍然可以拆成 enchant 加上 -ment,也就是「施法/使人著迷」這個動作,或它造成的結果。

Wiktionary entry for enchantment (packet field etymology_text): From Middle English enchauntement, from Old French enchantement.

Two branches

故事裡的法術

這一支就是核心畫面的原形:真的有人施了咒。

noun · C1

A magic spell, the change that the spell makes, or the state of being under it. In stories a person or a place can be held by an enchantment until someone breaks it.

魔法/咒語

沒有魔法的著迷

同一個畫面把魔法拿掉:沒有人施咒,但你一樣被留在原地。

noun · C1

The quality something has when it is so pleasant or beautiful that it holds you and you do not want to leave, and also the feeling you have while you are held that way.

魅力/著迷