Emily Dickinson Lexicon

CAP'TI-VATE, v.t. [L. captivo, from captivus, a prisoner, from capto, to take; Fr. captiver; Sp. cautivar; Port. cativar; It. cattivare.]

1. To take prisoner; to seize by force; as an enemy in war. – Shak. Locke. B. Trumbull.
2. To subdue; to bring into bondage. – King Charles.
3. To overpower and gain with excellence or beauty; to charm; to engage the affections; to bind in love. – Addison.
4. To enslave; with to; as, captivated to error. – Locke.