mesmerize

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   To exercise mesmerism on; to affect another person, such as to heal or soothe, through the use of animal magnetism.

   Mesmer had about a hundred people whom he had instructed as magnetisers, some of whom belonged to the nobility, who also "mesmerised" people by making passes over the affected parts of the body.

2. 2
   verb

   To spellbind; to enthrall.

   She mesmerized the audience with her tricks.

Back-formation from mesmerism, thus mesmerism + -ize; first attested in 1829.

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