ˈfikˌsāt, usu -ād.+V verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Latin fix us (past participle of figere to fasten, pierce) + English -ate — more at dike
transitive verb
1. : to make fixed, stationary, or unchanging : fix
it is the groups that become fixated by orthodoxy that decline — D.F.Fleming
Protestants have been fixated in defending the thought of the reforming sixteenth century — J.W.Nixon
2. : to focus one's eyes upon : concentrate one's gaze on
fixate a word on the moving sheet — R.S.Woodworth
3. : to direct (the libido) toward a pregenital form of gratification
intransitive verb
1. : to focus or concentrate one's gaze or attention — usually used with on or upon
an infant with normal vision … will fixate on a light held before him — Journal American Medical Association
2. : to undergo arrestment at a certain stage of development
men and women of a certain caliber fixate in any job — H.A.Overstreet
specifically : to undergo arrestment at a certain stage of psychosexual development