In-făt'ū-āte1, v. t.
v. t. [imp. & p. p. INFATUATED; p. pr. & vb. n. INFATUATING.] [Lat. infatuare, infatuatum, from prefix in and fatuus, foolish; It. infatuare, Sp. infatuar, Fr. infatuer.]
Sense 1. To make foolish; to affect with folly; to weaken the intellectual powers of, or to deprive of sound judgment.
The judgment of God will be very visible in infatuating a people ripe and prepared for destruction. Clarendon.
Sense 2. To inspire with an extravagant or foolish passion, too obstinate to be controlled by reason; to prepossess or incline to in a manner not justified by reason; as, to be infatuated by a love of gaming, of strong drink, &c.
Synonyms—To besot; stupefy; mislead.