mesmerism

[ mez-muh-riz-uhm, mes- ]
See synonyms for mesmerism on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. hypnosis as induced, according to F. A. Mesmer, through animal magnetism.

  1. a compelling attraction; fascination.

Origin of mesmerism

1
First recorded in 1775–85; Mesmer + -ism

Other words from mesmerism

  • mes·mer·ist, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

British Dictionary definitions for mesmerism

mesmerism

/ (ˈmɛzməˌrɪzəm) /


nounpsychol
  1. a hypnotic state induced by the operator's imposition of his will on that of the patient

  2. an early doctrine concerning this

Origin of mesmerism

1
C19: named after F. A. Mesmer (1734–1815), Austrian physician

Derived forms of mesmerism

  • mesmerist, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012