fascinatedadj.
/ˈfasᵻneɪtᵻd/, U.S. /ˈfæsəˌneɪdᵻd/ That is or has been fascinated (in various senses of fascinate v.); (now esp.) enthralled, intrigued, or extremely interested.
a. In predicative use. Often with at, with, or to-infinitive.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > motivation > attraction, allurement, or enticement > [adjective] > fascinating or enchanting > fascinated or enchanted
bycapped1387
bewitched1551
captive1597
fascinated1608
captivated1621
captived1724
1608 T. Walkington Salomons Sweete Harpe 19 What if he were for a time fascinated & bewitched so with the loue of his concubines, that for their sakes he followed Ashtaroth the god of the Sidonians.
1779 T. Medley Shandymonian 68 I who bragged of Freedom and Liberty, am now fascinated, wounded, captivated, a Slave!
1888 Frank Leslie's Christmas Bk. 151/2 He lay there fascinated at first, and only half awake, but when the two lights came nearer and nearer, he jumped up to confront the strange apparition.
1920 S. Anderson Poor White xvi. 284 He was fascinated at the thought of what the day meant to Grant and by his apparent indifference.
2005 Campaign 11 Feb. 21/2 They will be fascinated to learn the outcome of this exciting experiment.
b. As a modifier. Also: characterized by fascination.
ΚΠ
1651 J. F. tr. H. C. Agrippa Three Bks. Occult Philos. 581 So men may appear like Asses, or horses, or other Animals with fascinated eyes, or a troubled medium, and that by a naturall art.
1768 L. Sterne Sentimental Journey I. 154 Tilting at it like fascinated knights.
1817 R. Southey Life (1850) IV. 233 Are they rendered absolutely helpless by fear, like a fascinated bird?
1935 T. Wolfe Of Time & River i. 6 ‘Un-huh!.. Ah-hah!’ the younger woman muttered absently, in a tone of rapt and fascinated interest.
2017 Times of India (Nexis) 12 July Varun, Taapsee and Jackie sat listening wide-eyed, like fascinated young fans.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2020; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.1608