v.
Pronunciation: ə - ' trakt
Function: verb
Etymology: Middle English, from Latin attractus, past participle of attrahere, from ad- + trahere to pull, draw
Date: 15th century
transitive verb : to cause to approach or adhere: as a : to pull to or draw toward oneself or itself <a magnet attract s iron> b : to draw by appeal to natural or excited interest, emotion, or aesthetic sense : ENTICE < attract attention>
intransitive verb : to exercise attraction
– at · trac · tor \ - ' trak-t ə r \ noun
synonyms ATTRACT , ALLURE , CHARM , CAPTIVATE , FASCINATE , ENCHANT mean to draw another by exerting a powerful influence. ATTRACT applies to any degree or kind of ability to exert influence over another <students attracted by the school's locale>. ALLURE implies an enticing by what is fair, pleasing, or seductive <an alluring smile>. CHARM implies the power of casting a spell over the person or thing affected and so compelling a response < charmed by their hospitality>, but it may, like CAPTIVATE suggest no more than evoking delight or admiration <her performances captivated audiences>. FASCINATE suggests a magical influence and tends to stress the ineffectiveness of attempts to resist <a story that continues to fascinate children>. ENCHANT is perhaps the strongest of these terms in stressing the appeal of the agent and the degree of delight evoked in the subject <hopelessly enchanted by her beauty>.