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 verb 1 obsolete : bewitch
2 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