Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

Date: 1800-1900
Origin: Franz Mesmer (1734-1815), Austrian doctor who developed hypnotism

mesmerize

 verb
     
mes‧mer‧ize also mesmerise British English [transitive usually in passive]
if you are mesmerized by someone or something, you cannot stop watching them or listening to them because they are so attractive or have such a powerful effect [= captivate]:
The first time I saw Diana I was mesmerized by her beauty.
—mesmerizing adjective
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.

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