[ad. L. captīvātiōn-em, n. of action f. captivāre to CAPTIVATE.]
1. The action of taking or holding captive; the fact or state of being taken or held captive; now only fig., of the attention, mind, fancy, affections.
1610. Healey, St. Aug. Citie of God, 712. In the seauentith yeare after their captiuation they [i.e., Jews] returned home.
a. 1656. Bp. Hall, Rem. Wks. (1660), 21. No small part of our servitude lyes in the captivation of our understanding.
1751. Johnson, Rambl., No. 147, ¶ 5. By some occult method of captivation, he animated the timorous and opened the reserved.
1865. C. Stanford, Symb. Christ, 51. They are bound, not in captivity, but in captivation.
1868. Holme Lee, B. Godfrey, I. xxiv. 307. It was a case of mutual captivation.
2. A captivating influence, a fascination.
1824. Scott, St. Ronans, xviii. Lady Penelope threw out the captivations of her wit.