| 释义 |
mesmerize, v.|ˈmɛzməraɪz|
[f. Mesmer (see mesmerism) + -ize.]
trans. a. To subject (a person) to the influence of mesmerism. Also transf. and fig., to fascinate, spellbind.
1829R. Chenevix in Lond. Med. & Phys. Jrnl. VI. 222, I mesmerised the patient through the door. 1863A. E. Challice Heroes, etc. Time Louis XVI, II. 77 Dr. Mesmer found it impossible to mesmerize Dr. Franklin.
transf.1862H. Aïdé Carr of Carrl. I. 137 Carr would almost have forgotten her existence, had it not been for those eyes which mesmerised him every now and then, in spite of himself. 1886–94H. Spencer Autobiog. II. xlvi. 188 The judicial faculty has been mesmerised by the confused halo of piety which surrounds them. 1936G. B. Shaw Simpleton i. 50 Vashti... Would you not die for me? Iddy. (mesmerized by her eyes) Oh DEAR!!! Yes: your eyes make my heart melt. 1940W. Faulkner Hamlet ii. i. 113 She seemed to be momentarily mesmerised by a complete inert soft surprise. 1955Economist 26 Mar. 1068/1 Members seemed to be mesmerised by an uncouth demagogue sitting with his acolytes in the public gallery. 1975Times 24 July 4/7 Sir G. Howe said..Labour ministers..had been mesmerized by their own verbal fantasies.
b. with inanimate object.
1840C. H. Townshend Facts in Mesmerism ii. iii. 224, I have..mesmerised, as it is called, a glass of water, half an hour before it was presented to the sleep-waker.
c. absol. or intr.
1829R. Chenevix in Lond. Med. & Phys. Jrnl. VI. 227 Every one can mesmerise, though not all with equal effect. 1865Tennyson in Ld. Tennyson Memoir (1897) II. 21, I can't mesmerize, I never mesmerized anyone in my life.
Hence ˈmesmerized ppl. a., ˈmesmerizing vbl. n. and ppl. a.
1829R. Chenevix in Lond. Med. & Phys. Jrnl. VI. 222 The use of mesmerised water..had entirely assuaged the thirst. Ibid. 223 The spasmodic contractions were entirely removed after the twelfth day of mesmerising. 1840C. H. Townshend Facts in Mesmerism ii. i. 80 Having heard it said that mesmerised persons could feel any injury that was inflicted on the mesmeriser. 1886Athenæum 6 Mar. 323/3 Verena Tarrant, daughter of a vulgar mesmerizing quack. |