fixate
//fɪkˈseɪt//
Verb
fixateInfinitive
fixatePresent tense
fixatedPast tense
fixatedPast participle
fixatingPresent participle
fixatesThird-person singular
1
To focus one's attention or gaze intensely and persistently on something or someone.
She tends to fixate on small details and loses sight of the bigger picture.
2
To become obsessively preoccupied with a particular idea, person, or thing.
She tends to fixate on small mistakes and can't move on.
3
(Psychology) To arrest psychological development at an immature stage, causing a persistent attachment.
The therapist explained that the patient had fixated at an early developmental stage due to childhood trauma.