mesmerizing
|mes-mer-iz-ing|
B2
/ˈmɛzməˌraɪzɪŋ/
(mesmerize)
captivate
Etymology
Etymology Information
'mesmerize' originates from the name of Franz Mesmer, an 18th-century German physician who developed a theory of animal magnetism.
Historical Evolution
'mesmerize' was derived from the name 'Mesmer' and became a verb in English to describe the act of hypnotizing or captivating.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'to hypnotize,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'captivating or spellbinding.'
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
captivating or spellbinding; holding one's attention completely.
The dancer's performance was mesmerizing.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:45