The state of being bewitched; the condition of being under a spell or enchantment.
From 'bewitch' + '-ed' + '-ness' (suffix for abstract nouns). This formation creates a noun describing the persistent state of being enchanted or spellbound, combining multiple English suffixes in the traditional manner.
While 'bewitch' thrives in modern English, 'bewitchedness' feels quaintly archaic, and we'd typically just say 'enchantment' instead. This shows that English speakers conserve suffix-stacking; we create '-ness' nouns primarily from adjectives, not readily from past participles.
Inherits gender associations from 'bewitch'; describes a state of being under (typically feminine) magical control—a concept weaponized against women accused of sorcery.
Avoid describing people (especially women) in states of attraction or influence as 'bewitched.' Use 'captivated,' 'engaged,' or 'focused' instead.
["captivation","engagement","entrancement","fascination"]
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