rapt
UK[ræpt]US[ræpt]
adj
completely fascinated or absorbed by what one is seeing or hearing.
adj
filled with an intense and pleasurable emotion; enraptured.
Etymology
the word 'rapt' entered english in the late 14th century from the latin 'raptus', the past participle of 'rapere', meaning 'to seize or carry away'. this latin verb itself is traced back to the proto-indo-european root rep-, meaning 'to snatch'. the original literal sense was 'carried away physically', which evolved to describe being carried away in spirit or mind. the modern abstract meanings of being completely absorbed, fascinated, or filled with intense pleasure stem from this metaphorical extension of being seized or transported by a powerful experience.
Analysis
the word 'rapt' is a simplex form. it is derived from the latin past participle 'raptus' of the verb 'rapere', meaning 'to seize, snatch, carry off'. it functions as a complete lexical unit in english.
Examples
the audience was rapt during the pianist's breathtaking performance.
she listened to the story with rapt attention, not wanting to miss a single word.
he stood before the painting, rapt in admiration for its beauty.