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at·tract

(ə-trăkt)

v. at·tract·ed, at·tract·ing, at·tracts

v.tr.

1. To cause to draw near or adhere by physical force: Magnetic poles are attracted to their opposites.

2. To arouse or compel the interest, admiration, or attention of: We were attracted by the display of lights.

v.intr.

To possess or use the power of attraction.

[Middle English attracten, from Latin attrahere, attract- : ad-, ad- + trahere, pull.]

at·tracta·ble adj.

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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