Main Entry:

fas·ci·nate

Pronunciation:

\ˈfa-sə-ˌnāt\

Function:

verb

Inflected Form(s):

fas·ci·nat·ed; fas·ci·nat·ing \ˈfas-ˌnā-tiŋ, ˈfa-sə-ˌnā-\

Etymology:

Latin fascinatus, past participle of fascinare, from fascinum evil spell

Date:

1598

transitive verb1obsolete : bewitch2 a: to transfix and hold spellbound by an irresistible power <believed that the serpent could fascinate its prey> b: to command the interest of : allure <was fascinated by carnivals>intransitive verb: to be irresistibly attractive <the novel's flamboyant cover fascinates>

synonyms see attract