FASCINATE

capture, enamour, trance, catch, becharm, enamor, captivate, beguile, charm, fascinate, bewitch, entrance, enchant

(verb) attract; cause to be enamored; “She captured all the men’s hearts”

fascinate, transfix, grip, spellbind

(verb) to render motionless, as with a fixed stare or by arousing terror or awe; “The snake charmer fascinates the cobra”

intrigue, fascinate

(verb) cause to be interested or curious

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Verb

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

To evoke an intense interest or attraction in someone.

To make someone hold motionless; to spellbind.

To be irresistibly charming or attractive to.

Source: Wiktionary

Fas"ci*nate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Fascinated, p. pr. & vb. n.. Fascinating (.] Etym: [L. fascinare; cf. Gr.

1. To influence in an uncontrollable manner; to operate on by some powerful or irresistible charm; to bewitch; to enchant. It has been almost universally believed that . . . serpents can stupefy and fascinate the prey which they are desirous to obtain. Griffith (Cuvier).

2. To excite and allure irresistibly or powerfully; to charm; to captivate, as by physical or mental charms. there be none of the passions that have been noted to fascinate or bewhich but love and envy. Bacon.

Syn.

– To charm; enrapture; captivate; enchant; bewitch; attract.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition