transfix — to cause someone to become motionless with horror, wonder, or astonishment
Part of speech: VERB
Definition: to cause someone to become motionless with horror, wonder, or astonishment
Pronunciation (IPA): /trænsˈfɪks/
Example Sentences
- The cat was transfixed by the laser pointer, following the red dot with unwavering focus.
- Students were transfixed when their boring math teacher suddenly started breakdancing.
- She stood transfixed by the beauty of the Northern Lights.
transfix
VERB[/trænsˈfɪks/]
to cause someone to become motionless with horror, wonder, or astonishment
a young girl walks casually through the museum hall looking at smaller exhibits. She turns a corner and suddenly comes face-to-face with an enormous T-Rex skeleton towering above her. Her body freezes mid-step with one foot still raised, eyes wide open staring upward. Her mouth drops open in complete awe as she becomes utterly motionless beneath the giant fossil. Other museum visitors nearby also stand perfectly still, equally captivated by the magnificent display. someone becoming motionless with wonder and astonishment
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
From Latin transfixus, meaning 'to pierce through and fasten.' Originally described the physical act of impaling something with a spear or stake, but evolved to mean holding someone motionless through fascination or shock.
Breakdown
trans- (through/across) + fix (to fasten/attach) - literally 'to fasten through' something
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“The cat was transfixed by the laser pointer, following the red dot with unwavering focus.”
“Students were transfixed when their boring math teacher suddenly started breakdancing.”
“She stood transfixed by the beauty of the Northern Lights.”
“The horror movie transfixed him so completely that he forgot to eat his popcorn.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
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