transfix

/træntsˈfɪks/

Other forms: transfixed; transfixing; transfixes; transfixt

Use the verb transfix when something makes you freeze in fascination or fear. Your belly dancing moves might transfix your dance recital audience.

You might describe the way the last minutes of a scary movie transfix your whole family, leaving them on the edge of their seats, or how the photographs in a gallery transfix you with their beauty. The word comes from transfixus, "impaled" in Latin, which in turn is rooted in trans, "through or across," and figere, "to fasten."

Definitions of transfix

1. verb

   to render motionless, as with a fixed stare or by arousing terror or awe
   synonyms: fascinate, grip, spellbind

   type of:

   interest

   excite the curiosity of; engage the interest of
2. verb

   pierce with a sharp stake or point
   synonyms: empale, impale, spike

   types:

   pin

   pierce with a pin

   spear

   pierce with a spear

   skewer, spit

   drive a skewer through

   type of:

   pierce, thrust

   penetrate or cut through with a sharp instrument