v. [f. L. transfīx-, ppl. stem of transfīgĕre, f. TRANS- + fīgĕre to FIX. Cf. OF. transfixer (15th c. in Godef.).] trans. To pierce through with, or impale upon, a sharp-pointed instrument (also said of the instrument); to fix or fasten by piercing.
1590. Spenser, F. Q., I. v. 50. The bold Semiramis, whose sides transfixt With sonnes own blade her fowle reproches spoke.
1626. Massinger, Rom. Actor, III. ii. Take A golden arrow to transfix her heart.
1797. Mrs. Radcliffe, Italian, xxxiii. That monk seemed as if transfixed to the spot.
1802. Paley, Nat. Theol., xii. 109. The butcher-bird transfixes its prey upon the spike of a thorn, whilst it picks its bones.
1850. Mrs. Jameson, Leg. Monast. Ord. (1863), 388. Being absorbed in rapturous devotion, she was transfixed, that is, received the Stigmata.
1875. Jowett, Plato (ed. 2), IV. 382. He delights … to transfix the Eristic Sophist with weapons borrowed from his own armoury.
b. fig. To pierce through (esp. with pain, grief, or other emotion); also, to render motionless (with astonishment, horror, etc.).
1649. Lovelace, Poems, 19. Transfixed Venus stood amas’d.
a. 1711. Ken, Hymnotheo, Poet. Wks. III. 76. Sent by a breaking Heart by Guilt transfix’d.
1791. Cowper, Odyss., X. 303. His heart transfixt With anguish.
1840. Dickens, Barn. Rudge, xix. Both of whom were so transfixed at sight of the ladies that … they … could do nothing but stare.
1863. Geo. Eliot, Romola, iv. [He] stood transfixed, with his long dark eyes resting on the unknown man who had addressed him.
Hence Transfixed ppl. a.; spec. in Her.: see quots. c. 1828 and 1894; Transfixing ppl. a.
1661. Blount, Glossogr. (ed. 2), Transfixed..., sticked or thurst through.
c. 1828. Berry, Encycl. Her., I. Gloss., Transfixed, pierced through, as a boar’s head, &c., transfixed with a spear, &c.
1854. Kane, Grinnell Exp., xlvi. 429. Then the transfixed and transfixing vessels were both eaten up together by the greedy floes.
1859. Sala, Tw. round Clock (1861), 64. Their muskets—prudently divested of the transfixing bayonets.
1894. Parker’s Gloss. Her., 456. Pierced with an arrow generally means the same as transfixed.
