attract
verb/əˈtɹækt/
Etymology From Latin attractus, past participle of attrahere (“to draw to, attract”), from ad (“to”) + trahere (“to draw”).
1
To pull toward without touching.
- A magnet attracts iron filings.
- All bodies, and all the parts of bodies, mutually attract themselves, and one another.1713, W[illiam] Derham, Physico-Theology: Or, A Demonstration of the Being and Attributes of God, from His Works of Creation. […], London: […] W[illiam] Innys, […], →OCLC:
1 more example
- 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.2013 July-August, Stephen P. Lownie, David M. Pelz, “Stents to Prevent Stroke”, in American Scientist:
2
To draw by moral, emotional or sexual influence; to engage or fix, as the mind, attention, etc.; to invite or allure.
- to attract admirers
- Advertising is designed to attract customers.
2 more examples
- His big smile and brown eyes instantly attracted me.
- Attracted by thy beauty still to gaze.1667, John Milton, “Book V”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […]; [a]nd by Robert Boulter […]; [a]nd Matthias Walker, […], →OCLC; republished as Paradise Lost in Ten Books: […], London: Basil Montagu Pickering […], 1873, →OCLC:
3
To incur.
- Using the minibar in a hotel room attracts additional charges.
- Derived terms
- attractability, attractable, attractancy, attract attention, attractee, attracticide, attractile, attractin, attractingly, attract mode, attract screen, chemoattract, counterattract, minor-attracted person, nonattracting, opposites attract, reattract, unattracting, you attract more flies with honey than vinegar
- Related terms
- attraction, attractive, attractor