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optical illusion

 - 7 dictionary results
24 Cool Optical Illusions
They're fun and freaky. Explore them or add one of your own
www.hunch.com
24 Cool Optical Illusions
They're fun and freaky. Explore them or add one of your own
www.hunch.com

il⋅lu⋅sion

  [i-loo-zhuhn]
–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.
Cite This Source Link To optical illusion
optical illusion  
n.  A visually perceived image that is deceptive or misleading.
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

Main Entry: optical illusion
Function: noun
: visual perception of a real object in such a way as to misinterpret its actual nature optical illusion, making the object appear in a different position from what it really is in —Richard Jefferies>
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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