Fascination

[Fr., from Lat. fascinatio.] The act of fascinating, or the state of being charmed, operated upon, or influenced by the look of certain individuals; generally taken in an evil sense. Fascination is the power supposed to be po e ed by certain persons of working mischief to others by means of a glance of the eye. Among the Romans the god Fascinus was invoked as a protector against this influence. It was, and is perhaps to this day, a common belief among the vulgar in almost all countries; but probably it is nowhere more generally retained than in Turkey and Italy. In the former country, the Mu ulmans deem it nece ary to have recourse to a variety of amulets and charms, in order to preserve themselves from the evil eye of an enemy, or of an infidel. In Naples, the evil eye and its fascination (known to them by the name of gettatura) are subjects of dread and superstitious precaution among all cla es of the people. Fascine, (fas-seen',) n. [Fr., from Lat. fasces , q. v.] ( Mil .) A species of long fagot or bundle of brushwood, used for various purposes; such as forming the rivetments of parapets in field-works, and making the roof of a blindage or magazine, which may be rendered bombproof by covering the F. with a sufficient depth of earth. They are also used for making roads over wet, boggy ground. The fascine is made of twigs, and sticks laid together longitudinally, and tightly bound with twisted willow or hazel-rods, at intervals of 15 or 18 inches. They are usually made 18 or 20 feet in length, and about 9 inches in diameter. When they are used for the rivet ment of a parapet wall, they are secured by driving long stakes through them into the bank of earth against which they are placed. F. are also used in civil engineering for making dams, protecting the sides of dikes, and in forming foundations for any superstructure, as well as earthing for banks, and a bottom for newly made roads. They are shorter and much thicker than the military fascine, seldom exceeding 10 feet in length, but often being as much as 4 feet in diameter. They are placed side by side over the spot it is desired to cover, and pinned to the soil beneath with long stakes, the tops -preceded by to . "This cardinal was fashioned to much honour from his cradle." Shaks. To make after the style, rule, or mode prescribed by custom; as, to fashion a coat. Fashionable, a . Made according to prevalent form or mode; established by custom; modish. -Genteel; well-bred; out-ranking the vulgar. -n. A person frequenting good society, and conversant with the usages thereof. Fashionably, adv. According to custom or prevailing practice; modishly; genteelly.