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fixate (v.)

1885, "to fix, make stable," from fix (v.) + -ate. Meaning "to gaze upon" is from 1889. Psychological sense is from 1926, originally in Freudian theory, in this case perhaps a back-formation from fixation. Meaning "become fixed" is from 1888. Related: Fixated; fixating.

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Definitions of fixate from WordNet

fixate (v.)
attach (oneself) to a person or thing in a neurotic way;
He fixates on his mother, even at the age of 40
fixate (v.)
pay attention to exclusively and obsessively;
fixate (v.)
make fixed, stable or stationary;
Synonyms: fix
fixate (v.)
become fixed (on);
Her eyes fixated on a point on the horizon
Synonyms: settle on
From wordnet.princeton.edu