Captivate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Captivated; p. pr. & vb. n. Captivating.]
Etymology: [L. captivatus, p. p. of captivare to capture, fr. captivus captive. See Captive.]
1. To take prisoner; to capture; to subdue. [Obs.] Their woes whom fortune captivates. Shak.
2. To acquire ascendancy over by reason of some art or attraction; to fascinate; to charm; as, Cleopatra captivated Antony; the orator captivated all hearts. Small landscapes of captivating loveliness. W. Irving.
Syn. -- To enslave; subdue; overpower; charm; enchant; bewitch; facinate; capture; lead captive.
1 other Webster entry under this spelling
Captivate, p. a.
Taken prisoner; made captive; insnared; charmed. Women have been captivate ere now. Shak.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for captivate; he lists it under allure.
He lists it without comment; the entries above explain its neighbors.