enthralment

The audience sat in complete enthralment during the magician's performance.

Definition

1. Noun (uncountable):
   • The state of being captivated or fascinated: "Enthralment" refers to a condition of being completely absorbed, charmed, or held spellbound by something.
   • A sense of being enslaved or subjugated: In a figurative sense, "enthralment" can describe a state of being dominated or controlled, as if under a spell or in bondage.

Usage Examples

• (The audience was utterly captivated and fascinated.)
• (His deep fascination with the book caused him to read without stopping.)
• (The people were figuratively enslaved or dominated by the ruler's power.)

Advanced Usage

• "state of enthralment": a formal phrase describing a condition of deep absorption.
  • The child stared at the fireworks in a state of enthralment. (The child was mesmerized by the display.)
• "to fall into enthralment": to become suddenly captivated.
  • She fell into enthralment with the ancient music. (She became suddenly and deeply fascinated.)

Variants and Related Words

• Enthrall (verb): to captivate or hold spellbound; to enslave.
  • The storyteller enthralled the children with his tales. (The storyteller completely captured their attention.)
• Enthralling (adjective): extremely interesting or captivating.
  • The documentary was so enthralling that I watched it twice. (The documentary was fascinating.)
• Enthralled (adjective): in a state of being captivated.
  • The audience was completely enthralled by the singer. (The audience was mesmerized.)

Synonyms

• Captivation: the act or state of being charmed or fascinated.
• Fascination: intense interest or attraction.
• Enchantment: a feeling of delight or being under a spell.
• Subjugation: the act of bringing under control or domination (used for the figurative sense of enthralment).

Related Idioms

• Under someone's spell: being completely captivated or controlled by someone.
  • The young artist was under the spell of her mentor. (She was deeply influenced and fascinated by him.)
• Spellbound: held as if by a spell; completely fascinated.
  • The crowd stood spellbound by the performance. (The crowd was in a state of enthralment.)