cap·ti·vate

[kap-tuh-veyt]
verb (used with object), cap·ti·vat·ed, cap·ti·vat·ing.
1.
to attract and hold the attention or interest of, as by beauty or excellence; enchant: Her blue eyes and red hair captivated him.
2.
Obsolete. to capture; subjugate.

Origin:
1520–30; < Late Latin captīvātus (past participle of captīvāre to take captive), equivalent to Latin captīv(us) captive + -ātus -ate1

cap·ti·vat·ing·ly, adverb
cap·ti·va·tion, noun
cap·ti·va·tive, adjective
cap·ti·va·tor, noun
un·cap·ti·vat·ed, adjective
un·cap·ti·vat·ing, adjective
un·cap·ti·va·tive, adjective


1. fascinate, bewitch, charm. 2. subdue.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source Link To captivate
00:10
Captivate is always a great word to know.
So is zedonk. Does it mean:
the offspring of a zebra and a donkey.
a calculus or concretion found in the stomach or intestines of certain animals, esp. ruminants, formerly reputed to be an effective remedy for poison.
Collins
World English Dictionary
captivate (ˈkæptɪˌveɪt) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
vb
1.  to hold the attention of by fascinating; enchant
2.  an obsolete word for capture
 
[C16: from Late Latin captivāre, from captīvuscaptive]
 
'captivatingly
 
adv
 
capti'vation
 
n
 
'captivator
 
n

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

captivate
c.1526, "to enthrall with charm," from L.L. captivat-, pp. stem of captivare "to take," from captivus (see captive). Lit. sense (c.1555) is rare or obs. Captivated is attested from 1621; captivating from 1675.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Example sentences
And there was this unusual air about him that seemed to captivate even his
  bosses.
Clearly, the science-fiction dream of the flexible display continues to
  captivate the imagination.
No play, however political and worthy, can captivate an audience unless it is
  actually good.
Tranquility is found among this majestic ridge top location with breathtaking
  panoramic views sure to captivate your spirit.
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