rapt

[ rapt ]

/ ræpt /

adjective

deeply engrossed or absorbed: a rapt listener.

transported with emotion; enraptured: rapt with joy.

showing or proceeding from rapture: a rapt smile.

carried off spiritually to another place, sphere of existence, etc.

Nearby words

rapport, rapporteur, rapprochement, rappé pie, rapscallion, rapt, raptor, raptorial, rapture, rapture of the deep, raptured

Origin of rapt

1350–1400; Middle English (past participle of rapen to carry off, abduct, rape) < Latin raptus seized, carried off (past participle of rapere), equivalent to rap- (see rape¹) + -tus past participle suffix

SYNONYMS FOR rapt

2 ecstatic, spellbound, bewitched.

Related forms

rapt·ly, adverbrapt·ness, noun

Can be confused

rapped rapt wrapped wrapt

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for raptly

Raptly, they drink in the cunningly arranged open floor plan.
Beyond Stainless|Megan McArdle|October 19, 2012|DAILY BEAST
The old lady in front lifted a frank handkerchief; the giggling girls were raptly watching.
Jane Journeys On|Ruth Comfort Mitchell
Raptly gazing at the child's innocent face, Paul softly croons some cradle melody.
Oswald Langdon|Carson Jay Lee
Mr. Blake's eyes were raptly fixed on his accuser—his traducer, as we secretly defined him.
St. Cuthbert's|Robert E. Knowles

As he gazed at it raptly a scream from the girl aroused him.
In the Morning of Time|Charles G. D. Roberts
As the Tiger Swami's story approached a climax, my excitement mounted with it; Chandi also was raptly mute.
Autobiography of a YOGI|Paramhansa Yogananda

British Dictionary definitions for raptly (1 of 2)

rapt

/ (ræpt) /

adjective

totally absorbed; engrossed; spellbound, esp through or as if through emotionrapt with wonder

characterized by or proceeding from rapturea rapt smile

Derived Forms

raptly, adverb

Word Origin for rapt

C14: from Latin raptus carried away, from rapere to seize; see rape 1

British Dictionary definitions for raptly (2 of 2)

rapt

/ (ræpt) /

adjective

Also: wrapped Australian and NZ informal very pleased: delighted

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012