transfix

verb

trans·​fix tran(t)s-ˈfiks How to pronounce transfix (audio)
transfixed; transfixing; transfixes

transitive verb

1
: to hold motionless by or as if by piercing
he stood transfixed by her gaze
2
: to pierce through with or as if with a pointed weapon : impale
transfixion noun

Examples of transfix in a Sentence

transfixed the inanimate butterfly specimens to the collection board
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Photo: Courtesy New Ravenna Easily transfixed by sunlight glinting off gold jewelry? Kathryn O'Shea-Evans, Architectural Digest, 11 Mar. 2025 While the world is transfixed on America’s needless alienation of longtime American ally Ukraine, another American ally has come under fire from the administration. Wesley Alexander Hill, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025 But instead of reading a tome like The Hobbit or becoming a thief or wizard in role-playing games such as Dungeons & Dragons, players sat transfixed to a monitor and tapped away at a keyboard. Paul Ridden, New Atlas, 17 Feb. 2025 Working with regular cinematographer Yves Cape and as always without a score, Franco allows nothing to distract from his actors, observing their characters’ behavior with a forensic detail both transfixing and disturbing. David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for transfix

Word History

Etymology

Latin transfixus, past participle of transfigere, from trans- + figere to fasten, pierce — more at fix

First Known Use

1590, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of transfix was in 1590

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Transfix.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/transfix. Accessed 15 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

transfix

verb
trans·​fix tran(t)s-ˈfiks How to pronounce transfix (audio)
1
: to pierce through with or as if with a pointed weapon
2
: to hold motionless by or as if by piercing
stood transfixed by her gaze

More from Merriam-Webster on transfix

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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