TRANSFIX

transfix, impale, empale, spike

(verb) pierce with a sharp stake or point; “impale a shrimp on a skewer”

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”

Source: WordNet® 3.1

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Etymology 1

Verb

transfix (third-person singular simple present transfixes, present participle transfixing, simple past and past participle transfixed)

(transitive) To render motionless, by arousing terror, amazement or awe.

(transitive) To pierce with a sharp pointed weapon.

(transitive) To fix or impale.

Etymology 2

Noun

transfix (plural transfixes)

(linguistics) A discontinuous affix, which occurs at more than one position in a word, typical of Semitic languages.

Source: Wiktionary

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Trans*fix", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Transfixed; p. pr. & vb. n. Transfixing.] Etym: [L. transfixus, p. p. of transfigure to transfix; trans across, through + figere to fix, fasten. See Fix.]

Definition: To pierce through, as with a pointed weapon; to impale; as, to transfix one with a dart.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition

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