fascinate

From Latin fascinātus, perfect passive participle of fascinō (“enchant, bewitch, fascinate”), from fascinum (“a phallus-shaped amulet worn around the neck used in Ancient Rome; witchcraft”), which is of obscure origin.

• IPA^(key): /ˈfæsɪneɪt/

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fascinate (third-person singular simple present fascinates, present participle fascinating, simple past and past participle fascinated)

1. To evoke an intense interest or attraction in someone.

   The flickering TV fascinated the cat.

2. To make someone hold motionless; to spellbind.

   We were fascinated by the potter's skill.

   • 1886 October – 1887 January, H[enry] Rider Haggard, She: A History of Adventure, London: Longmans, Green, and Co., published 1887, →OCLC:

     Leo, too, was strangely touched. Hitherto he had been fascinated against his better judgment, something as a bird is fascinated by a snake, but now I think that all this passed away, and he realised that he really loved this strange and glorious creature, as, alas! I loved her also.

3. To be irresistibly charming or attractive to.

   Her gait fascinates all men.

• fascinating

• fascination

fascinate f

1. plural of fascinata

• fasciante, sfiancate

fascināte

1. second-person plural present active imperative of fascinō

fascinate

1. second-person singular voseo imperative of fascinar combined with te