What is the meaning of 'mesmerize'?

The term 'mesmerize' refers to the act of captivating or holding someone's attention spellbound, often implying a level of fascination or enchantment that can resemble hypnotic influence. The word stems from the name of Franz Mesmer, an 18th-century physician known for his work with hypnotism and animal magnetism, which adds to the connection between mesmerization and a state of deep focus or trance.

In this context, 'mesmerize' effectively encapsulates the process of engrossing someone to such a degree that they become entranced and unable to divert their attention. The other choices do not align with this definition: confusing someone does not necessarily involve captivating them, ignoring someone is the opposite of paying attention, and enlightening implies providing knowledge or insight, which is a different concept altogether. Therefore, the nuanced meaning of 'mesmerize' distinctly supports the interpretation of it as 'to hypnotize.'