attract

EnglishEdit

EtymologyEdit

From Latin attractus, past participle of attrahere (“to draw to, attract”), from ad (“to”) + trahere (“to draw”).

PronunciationEdit

  • IPA(key): /əˈtɹækt/
    • Audio (UK)
      		(file)
  • Rhymes: -ækt

VerbEdit

attract (third-person singular simple present attracts, present participle attracting, simple past and past participle attracted)

  1. To pull toward without touching.
    • 1713, William Derham, Physico-Theology
      All bodies, and all the parts of bodies, mutually attract themselves, and one another.
    • 2013 July-August, Stephen P. Lownie, David M. Pelz, “Stents to Prevent Stroke”, in American Scientist:
      The reason plaque forms isn’t entirely known, but it seems to be related to high levels of cholesterol inducing an inflammatory response, which can also attract and trap more cellular debris over time.
    A magnet attracts iron filings.
  2. To arouse interest.
    Advertising is designed to attract customers.
  3. To draw by moral, emotional or sexual influence; to engage or fix, as the mind, attention, etc.; to invite or allure.
    to attract admirers;   His big smile and brown eyes instantly attracted me.

SynonymsEdit

AntonymsEdit

Related termsEdit

TranslationsEdit

The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables, removing any numbers. Numbers do not necessarily match those in definitions. See instructions at Wiktionary:Entry layout § Translations.
Translations to be checked

Further readingEdit

Retrieved from "https://en.wiktionary.org/w/index.php?title=attract&oldid=62129137"