Fascinaʹtion

means “slain or overcome by the eyes.” The allusion is to the ancient notion of bewitching by the power of the eye. (Greek, baskaino, i.e. phaĕsi kaino, to kill with the eyes. See Valpy: Etymology of Greek Words, p. 23, col. 1; Latin, fasʹcino.) (See Evil Eye.)

“None of the affections have been noted to fascinate and bewitch, but love and envy.”—Bacon.