Fascinate

Etymology

from Latin fascinat- ppl. stem of fascinare to enchant, f. fascinum spell, witchcraft. Cf. F. fasciner

• 1598

Definitions

• 1. trans. To affect by witchcraft or magic; to bewitch, enchant, lay under a spell. Obs.
• 2.a. To cast a spell over (a person, animal, etc.) by a look; said esp. of serpents.

b. In later use disconnected from the notion of witchcraft: To deprive of the power of escape or resistance, as serpents are said to do through the terror produced by their look or merely by their perceived presence.

• 3. a. To enslave (the faculties), the judgement of (a person) (obs.).

b. To attract and retain the attention of (a person) by an irresistible influence.

c. .Now usually, To attract and ‘hold spellbound’ by delightful qualities; to charm, enchant.

Synonyms

allure, beguile, bewitch, captivate, enchant, charm, kill, magnetize, wile, witch

Usage

A person can be fascinated by or with another person or thing. It is correct to speak of someone's fascination with a person or thing; one can also say a person or thing has a fascination for someone