If someone or something fascinates you, your mind is caught — you cannot stop looking, or stop thinking about it. The feeling is strong interest, not quite the same as “like.” You can be fascinated by something a bit dark or strange. The word is ordinary and a little careful; children may just say “so interesting.” It comes from a Latin verb meaning to put a spell on someone. That verb came from fascinum, a lucky charm Romans wore around the neck to keep off bad magic — it was shaped like a man’s private part. Today we have dropped the witchcraft; we only mean the mind cannot look away. Though actually, a hint of “I am under a spell” is still in the word.