Transfix Meaning
/træˈnsfɪks/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
verbTo render motionless, by arousing terror, amazement or awe.
verbTo pierce with a sharp pointed weapon.
Sentence Examples
The beauty of the sunset began to transfix everyone on the beach.
To transfix means to cause someone to become motionless with awe.
The beautiful laser light show was designed to transfix the audience.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The shocking news seemed to ____ him for a moment, leaving him completely still.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The beautiful and vivid colors of the sunset seemed to ____ everyone who was watching from the beach tonight today.
Word Origin & History
From Middle French transfixer, from Old French transfixer, from Latin transfigō (“to pierce through”), from trans- (“through”) + figō (“to pierce”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"He stood transfixed before the unaccustomed view of London at night time, a vast panorama which reminded him […] of some wood engravings far off and magical, in a printshop in his childhood. They dated from the previous century and were coarsely printed on tinted paper, with tinsel outlining the design."
— 1963, Margery Allingham, “Foreword”, in The China Governess: A Mystery, London: Chatto & Windus, →OCLC:
"But we may as well accept her story as true, for it is likely she would have been transfixed by the narcissism of the weight lifters."
— 1973, Norman Mailer, Marilyn: A Biography, page 45:
"The spear transfixed my arm that was uplifted
In swift expostulation, and the blood
Gushed round its point: I smiled, […]"
— 1817 December, Percy Bysshe Shelley, “The Revolt of Islam. […]”, in [Mary] Shelley, editor, The Poetical Works of Percy Bysshe Shelley. […], volume I, London: Edward Moxon […], published 1839, →OCLC, page 237:
"There was a little stream that ran not far away, in which he bathed, and down this on occasion would come a shoal of fish. Then the natives would assemble with spears, and with much shouting would transfix the great startled things as they hurried down to the sea."
— 1919, W[illiam] Somerset Maugham, “chapter 52”, in The Moon and Sixpence, [New York, N.Y.]: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers […], →OCLC:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The shocking news seemed to ____ him for a moment, leaving him completely still.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The beautiful and vivid colors of the sunset seemed to ____ everyone who was watching from the beach tonight today.