Library / English Dictionary

SPELLBIND

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

Irregular inflected form: spellbound   

 I. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Put into a trance

Synonyms:

entrance; spellbind

Classified under:

Verbs of grooming, dressing and bodily care

Hypernyms (to "spellbind" is one way to...):

hypnotise; hypnotize; mesmerise; mesmerize (induce hypnosis in)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s somebody

Sentence example:

The performance is likely to spellbind Sue

Derivation:

spellbinder (an orator who can hold his listeners spellbound)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Attract strongly, as if with a magnet

Example:

She magnetized the audience with her tricks

Synonyms:

bewitch; magnetise; magnetize; mesmerise; mesmerize; spellbind

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Hypernyms (to "spellbind" is one way to...):

charm; influence; tempt (induce into action by using one's charm)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s somebody

Derivation:

spellbinder (an orator who can hold his listeners spellbound)

Sense 3

Meaning:

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

Example:

The snake charmer fascinates the cobra

Synonyms:

fascinate; grip; spellbind; transfix

Classified under:

Verbs of feeling

Hypernyms (to "spellbind" is one way to...):

interest (excite the curiosity of; engage the interest of)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s somebody

Derivation:

spellbinder (an orator who can hold his listeners spellbound)

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