fascinate

Where does the word "fascinate" come from? It comes from Latin fascinare, and was adopted directly into English (1590s).

Fascinate’s story begins in Latin: fascinare meant “to bewitch, to enchant.” Romans wore phallic 'fascinum' amulets against the evil eye. It reached English by 1590s as fascinate. Broadened from casting a magical spell to captivating someone's attention. Today, fascinate means to captivate someone's interest or attention intensely.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient fascinare "to bewitch, to enchant", Romans wore phallic 'fascinum' amulets against the evil eye.
2. Stage 2 · English · 1590s fascinate "to captivate someone's attention and interest", broadened from casting a magical spell to captivating someone's attention.