transfix

verb

trans·​fix tran(t)s-ˈfiks How to pronounce transfix (audio)
transfixed; transfixing; transfixes

transitive verb

1
: to hold motionless by or as if by piercing
he stood transfixed by her gaze
2
: to pierce through with or as if with a pointed weapon : impale
transfixion noun

Examples of transfix in a Sentence

transfixed the inanimate butterfly specimens to the collection board
Recent Examples on the Web Sarah Paulson, like all right-thinking Americans, has been transfixed by this season of Real Housewives of Salt Lake City. Bethy Squires, Vulture, 26 Jan. 2024 When Felix invites Oliver home with him for the summer, Oliver quickly becomes transfixed by Felix’s parents, Elspeth (Rosamund Pike) and James (Richard E. Grant), and his sister Venetia (Alison Oliver). Emily Zemler, Los Angeles Times, 16 Nov. 2023 The occasion of the moment that has India transfixed is a three-day pre-wedding jamboree for his youngest son Anant Ambani, 28, who is set to marry his long-time girlfriend Radhika Merchant, 29. Reuters, CNN, 29 Feb. 2024 Cappellini’s Luce tables transfix with their translucence. Evan Benn, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2024 Ben-Adir captures Marley’s voice and his wild physicality, and Green smartly keeps the camera focused on his face during the concert performances, which are transfixing. Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2024 As the storm moved into Southern California on Sunday, the entertainment world was transfixed on the Grammy Awards in downtown Los Angeles, no matter how dire the warnings were from Mayor Bass to stay home. Corina Knoll, New York Times, 6 Feb. 2024 Sides of stone buildings, distant brickwork, walls of glass that faced south toward the sun, all gleamed with a transfixing brilliance. Martin Weil, Washington Post, 3 Feb. 2024 And that’s pretty much it for five transfixing minutes. Jon Dolan, Rolling Stone, 23 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'transfix.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin transfixus, past participle of transfigere, from trans- + figere to fasten, pierce — more at fix

First Known Use

1590, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of transfix was in 1590

Dictionary Entries Near transfix

Cite this Entry

“Transfix.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/transfix. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

transfix

verb
trans·​fix tran(t)s-ˈfiks How to pronounce transfix (audio)
1
: to pierce through with or as if with a pointed weapon
2
: to hold motionless by or as if by piercing
stood transfixed by her gaze

More from Merriam-Webster on transfix

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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