transfix

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   To render motionless, by arousing terror, amazement or awe.

   He stood transfixed before the unaccustomed view of London at night time, a vast panorama which reminded him […] of some wood engravings far off and magical, in a printshop in his childhood. They dated from the previous century and were coarsely printed on tinted paper, with tinsel outlining the design.

2. 2
   verb

   To pierce with a sharp pointed weapon.

   The spear transfixed my arm that was uplifted In swift expostulation, and the blood Gushed round its point: I smiled, […]

3. 3
   noun

   A discontinuous affix, typical of Afro-Asiatic languages, which occurs at more than one position in a word, i.e. a combination of prefixes, infixes and/or suffixes.

   The Arabic word مكتوب (maktūb, “written”) is built from the root [script needed] (k–t–b, “writing”) and the transfix [script needed] (ma––ū–, “passive participle”).

4. 4
   verb

   pierce with a sharp stake or point

5. 5
   verb

   to render motionless, as with a fixed stare or by arousing terror or awe

6. 6
   verb

   To fix or impale.

Etymology

From Middle French transfixer, from Old French transfixer, from Latin transfigō (“to pierce through”), from trans- (“through”) + figō (“to pierce”).