KJV Dictionary Definition: captivate

captivate

CAPTIVATE, v.t.

1. To take prisoner; to seize by force; as an enemy in war.

2. To subdue; to bring into bondage.

3. To overpower and gain with excellence or beauty; to charm; to engage the affections; to bind in love.

4. To enslave; with to; as, captivated to error.

CAPTIVATE, a. Taken prisoner.

captivated

CAPTIVATED, pp. Made prisoner; charmed.

captivating

CAPTIVATING, ppr.

1. Taking prisoner; engaging the affections.

2. a. Having power to engage the affections.

captivation

CAPTIVATION, n. The act of taking a prisoner; a taking one captive.

captive

CAPTIVE, n.

1. A prisoner taken by force or stratagem in war, by an enemy; followed by to; as a captive to the victor.

2. One who is charmed or subdued by beauty or excellence; one whose affections are seized, or who is held by strong ties of love.

3. One who is ensnared by love or flattery, or by wiles. 2 Tim. 2:26.

4. A slave. Anciently captives were enslaved by their conquerors. But in modern times, they are not made slaves in Christian countries; and the word captive, in a literal sense, rarely signifies a slave.

CAPTIVE, v.t. To take prisoner; to bring into subjection.

captivity

CAPTIVITY, n.

1. The state of being a prisoner, or of being in the power of an enemy by force or the fate of war.

2. Subjection to love.

3. Subjection; a state of being under control.

Bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. 2 Cor. 10.

4. Subjection; servitude; slavery.

But I see another law in my members--bringing me into captivity to the law of sin. Rom 7.

To lead captivity captive, in scripture, is to subdue those who have held others in slavery, or captivity. Ps. 98.

Definitions from Webster's American Dictionary of the English Language, 1828.
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