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