Transfixed: meaning, definitions and examples
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transfixed
[ trænsˈfɪkst ]
state of focus
Transfixed describes a state of being so absorbed or captivated by something that one is unable to move or look away. It often implies a sense of wonder, fear, or fascination that holds someone's attention entirely.
Synonyms
captivated, enthralled, fascinated, mesmerized, spellbound.
Examples of usage
- She stood transfixed by the beauty of the sunset.
- The audience was transfixed during the magician's performance.
- He was transfixed by the horror of the accident.
- Transfixed by the novel's plot, she lost track of time.
Translations
Translations of the word "transfixed" in other languages:
🇵🇹 transfixado
🇮🇳 जादुई
🇩🇪 verzaubert
🇮🇩 terpesona
🇺🇦 прихоплений
🇵🇱 zahipnotyzowany
🇯🇵 魅了された
🇫🇷 transfixé
🇪🇸 transfijado
🇹🇷 büyülenmiş
🇰🇷 매료된
🇸🇦 مفتون
🇨🇿 okouzlený
🇸🇰 ohromený
🇨🇳 迷住的
🇸🇮 očaran
🇮🇸 heillaður
🇰🇿 тұтқындалған
🇬🇪 მოცემული
🇦🇿 heyranedici
🇲🇽 transfijado
Etymology
The word 'transfixed' has its roots in the Latin word 'transfixus', which is the past participle of 'transfigere', meaning 'to pierce through' or 'to impale'. This Latin verb is a combination of 'trans-', meaning 'across' or 'beyond', and 'figere', meaning 'to fix' or 'to fasten'. The term evolved into Middle English as 'transfixen', which meant to pierce or to immobilize. Over time, the meaning broadened to encompass not only the physical act of being held in place but also the emotional and psychological state of being captivated or mesmerized. Today, 'transfixed' is commonly used to describe a person who is so absorbed in something—be it a work of art, a performance, or an event—that they are momentarily rendered motionless or speechless.