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illusion

 - 6 dictionary results

il⋅lu⋅sion

  [i-loo-zhuhn]
Use illusion in a Sentence
–noun
1. something that deceives by producing a false or misleading impression of reality.
2. the state or condition of being deceived; misapprehension.
3. an instance of being deceived.
4. Psychology. a perception, as of visual stimuli (optical illusion), that represents what is perceived in a way different from the way it is in reality.
5. a very thin, delicate tulle of silk or nylon having a cobwebbed appearance, for trimmings, veilings, and the like.
6. Obsolete. the act of deceiving; deception; delusion.
Origin:
1300–50; ME < L illūsiōn- (s. of illūsiō) irony, mocking, equiv. to illūs(us) ptp. of illūdere to mock, ridicule (il- il- 1 + lūd- play (see ludicrous ) + -tus ptp. suffix, with dt > s) + -iōn- -ion

Related forms:
il⋅lu⋅sioned, adjective

Synonyms:
1. aberration, fantasy, chimera. illusion, hallucination, delusion refer to false perceptions or ideas. An illusion is a false mental image produced by misinterpretation of things that actually exist: A mirage is an illusion produced by reflection of light against the sky. A hallucination is a perception of a thing or quality that has no physical counterpart: Under the influence of LSD, Terry had hallucinations that the living-room floor was rippling. A delusion is a persistent false belief: A paranoiac has delusions of persecution.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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il·lu·sion   (ĭ-lōō'zhən)   


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n.  

    1. An erroneous perception of reality.

    2. An erroneous concept or belief.

  2. The condition of being deceived by a false perception or belief.

  3. Something, such as a fantastic plan or desire, that causes an erroneous belief or perception.

  4. Illusionism in art.

  5. A fine transparent cloth, used for dresses or trimmings.


[Middle English, from Old French, from Late Latin illūsiō, illūsiōn-, from Latin, a mocking, irony, from illūsus, past participle of illūdere, to mock : in-, against; see in-2 + lūdere, to play; see leid- in Indo-European roots.]
il·lu'sion·al, il·lu'sion·ar'y (-zhə-něr'ē) adj., il·lu'sion·less adj.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

illusion 
c.1340, "act of deception," from O.Fr. illusion "a mocking," from L. illusionem (nom. illusio) "a mocking, jesting, irony," from illudere "mock at," lit. "to play with," from in- "at" + ludere "to play" (see ludicrous). Sense of "deceptive appearance" developed in Eng. c.1374. Illusionist "conjurer, magic act performer" is from 1850. Illusive formed in Eng. 1679; the other adj. form, illusory (1599) is from Fr. illusorie, from L.L. illusorius "of a mocking character," from L. illudere.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: il·lu·sion
Pronunciation: il-'ü-zh&n
Function: noun
1 : a misleading image presented as a visual stimulus
2 a : perception of something objectively existing in such a way as to cause misinterpretation of its actual nature; especially : OPTICAL ILLUSION —compare DELUSION 2 b : HALLUCINATION 1 c : a pattern capable of reversible perspective —il·lu·sion·al /-'üzh-n&l, -&n-&l/ adjective
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

illusion il·lu·sion (ĭ-l&oomacr;'zhən)
n.

  1. An erroneous perception of reality.

  2. An erroneous concept or belief.

  3. The condition of being deceived by a false perception or belief.

  4. Something, such as a fantastic plan or desire, that causes an erroneous belief or perception.

il·lu'sion·al or il·lu'sion·ar'y (-zhə-něr'ē) adj.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Encyclopedia

illusion

a misrepresentation of a "real" sensory stimulus-that is, an interpretation that contradicts objective "reality" as defined by general agreement. For example, a child who perceives tree branches at night as if they are goblins may be said to be having an illusion. An illusion is distinguished from a hallucination, an experience that seems to originate without an external source of stimulation. Neither experience is necessarily a sign of psychiatric disturbance, and both are regularly and consistently reported by virtually everyone.

Learn more about illusion with a free trial on Britannica.com.

Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008. Encyclopedia Britannica Online.
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