The Collaborative International Dictionary
Captation \Cap*ta`tion\, n. [L. captatio, fr. captare to catch, intens. of caper to take: cf. F. captation.] A courting of favor or applause, by flattery or address; a captivating quality; an attraction. [Obs.]
Without any of those dresses, or popular captations,
which some men use in their speeches.
--Eikon
Basilike.
Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
1520s, from Middle French captation, from Latin captationem (nominative captatio) "a reaching after, a catching at," noun of action from past participle stem of captare (see catch (v.)).
Wiktionary
n. (context obsolete English) A courting of favor or applause, by flattery or address; a captivating quality; an attraction.
Usage examples of "captation".
She tried hard to decline her own nomination, but the same captation, the same implacable force that had kept her from speaking earlier made her unable to withdraw her name.