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fascinate
[ fas-uh-neyt ]
/ ˈfæs əˌneɪt /
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verb (used with object), fas·ci·nat·ed, fas·ci·nat·ing.
to attract and hold attentively by a unique power, personal charm, unusual nature, or some other special quality; enthrall: His natural vivacity fascinates and dominates his audience, leading them wherever he will.
to arouse the interest or curiosity of: As I learned about ancient Egyptian religion, I found elements that fascinated me.
to transfix or deprive of the power of resistance, as through terror: The sight of the snake fascinated the rabbit.
Obsolete. to bewitch.
Obsolete. to cast under a spell by a look.
verb (used without object), fas·ci·nat·ed, fas·ci·nat·ing.
to capture the interest or hold the attention.
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Origin of fascinate
First recorded in 1590–1600; from Latin fascinātus, past participle of fascināre “to bewitch, cast a spell on,” verbal derivative of fascinum “evil spell, bewitchment”
OTHER WORDS FROM fascinate
fas·ci·na·tive, adjectiveWords nearby fascinate
fascicule, fasciculus, fasciculus gracilis, fasciectomy, fasciitis, fascinate, fascinated, fascinating, fascination, fascinator, fascine
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022
How to use fascinate in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for fascinate
fascinate
/ (ˈfæsɪˌneɪt) /
verb (mainly tr)
to attract and delight by arousing interest or curiosityhis stories fascinated me for hours
to render motionless, as with a fixed stare or by arousing terror or awe
archaic to put under a spell
Derived forms of fascinate
fascinatedly, adverbfascination, nounfascinative, adjectiveWord Origin for fascinate
C16: from Latin fascināre, from fascinum a bewitching
usage for fascinate
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
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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