This noun has a deep history. The word’s source can be
traced to its Indo-European roots (gher-) and traced into ancient Greek
(kharis, meaning favour) turning
into the verb, to favour (kharizesthai) which shifted its meaning once more
in the Greek [kharisma] to imply a bestowed, divine favour. It was this meaning
that was embraced by ecclesiastical leaders in the 1600s.
It is currently used in two broad contexts. One usage
remains close to the original source – that of a particular, rare quality in a
person which enables them to influence or inspire large numbers of people. The
other meaning takes on a populist quality relating to the magnetism or charm of
an individual, who is able to inspire and influence others through this unique
quality.
