transfix, v.
(trɑːnsˈfɪks, træns-)
[f. L. transfīx-, ppl. stem of transfīgĕre, f. trans- + fīgĕre to fix. Cf. OF. transfixer (15th c. in Godef.).]
trans. To pierce through with, or impale upon, a sharp-pointed instrument (also said of the instrument); to fix or fasten by piercing.
| 1590 Spenser F.Q. i. v. 50 The bold Semiramis, whose sides transfixt With sonnes own blade her fowle reproches spoke. 1626 Massinger Rom. Actor iii. ii, Take A golden arrow to transfix her heart. 1797 Mrs. Radcliffe Italian xxxiii, That monk seemed as if transfixed to the spot. 1802 Paley Nat. Theol. xii. 109 The butcher-bird transfixes its prey upon the spike of a thorn, whilst it picks its bones. 1850 A. Jameson Leg. Monast. Ord. (1863) 388 Being absorbed in rapturous devotion, she was transfixed, that is, received the Stigmata. 1875 Jowett Plato (ed. 2) IV. 382 He delights..to transfix the Eristic Sophist with weapons borrowed from his own armoury. |
b. fig. To pierce through (esp. with pain, grief, or other emotion); also, to render motionless (with astonishment, horror, etc.).
| 1649 Lovelace Poems 19 Transfixed Venus stood amas'd. a 1711 Ken Hymnotheo Poet. Wks. III. 76 Sent by a breaking Heart by Guilt transfix'd. 1791 Cowper Odyss. x. 303 His heart transfixt With anguish. 1840 Dickens Barn. Rudge xix, Both of whom were so transfixed at sight of the ladies that..they..could do nothing but stare. 1863 Geo. Eliot Romola iv, [He] stood transfixed, with his long dark eyes resting on the unknown man who had addressed him. |
Hence transfixed (-ˈfɪkst, poet. -ˈfɪksɪd) ppl. a.; spec. in Her.: see quots. c 1828 and 1894; transˈfixing ppl. a.
| 1661 Blount Glossogr. (ed. 2), Transfixed.., sticked or thurst through. c 1828 Berry Encycl. Her. I. Gloss., Transfixed, pierced through, as a boar's head, &c., transfixed with a spear, &c. 1854 Kane Grinnell Exp. xlvi. 429 Then the transfixed and transfixing vessels were both eaten up together by the greedy floes. 1859 Sala Tw. Round Clock (1861) 64 Their muskets—prudently divested of the transfixing bayonets. 1894 Parker's Gloss. Her. 456 Pierced with an arrow generally means the same as transfixed. |