phantasmagorial
məˈgɔr noun
1.
a shifting series of phantasms, illusions, or deceptive appearances, as in a dream or as created by the imagination.
2.
a changing scene made up of many elements.
3.
an optical illusion produced by a magic lantern or the like in which figures increase or diminish in size, pass into each other, dissolve, etc.
Origin:
1795–1805; < French fantasmagorie, compound based on fantasme phantasm; second element perhaps representing Greek agorá assembly, gathering; see -ia
1795–1805; < French fantasmagorie, compound based on fantasme phantasm; second element perhaps representing Greek agorá assembly, gathering; see -ia
Related forms
phan·tas·ma·go·ri·al, phan·tas·ma·gor·ic 
[fan-taz-muh-gawr-ik, -gor-] , phan·tas·ma·go·ri·an, adjective
[fan-taz-muh-gawr-ik, -gor-] , phan·tas·ma·go·ri·an, adjective phan·tas·ma·gor·ist, noun
00:10
Phantasmagorial
is always a great word to know.
So is ninnyhammer. Does it mean:
| a fool or simpleton; ninny. |
| an extraordinary or unusual thing, person, or event; an exceptional example or instance. |
Dictionary.com Unabridged
adjective
1.
having a fantastic or deceptive appearance, as something in a dream or created by the imagination.
2.
having the appearance of an optical illusion, especially one produced by a magic lantern.
3.
changing or shifting, as a scene made up of many elements.
Also, phan·tas·ma·gor·i·cal.
Sometimes, phan·tas·ma·go·ri·al.
Related forms
phan·tas·ma·gor·i·cal·ly, adverb
phan·tas·ma·go·ri·al·ly, phan·tas·ma·go·ri·an·ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
|
Link To phantasmagorial
Collins
World English Dictionary
phantasmagoria or phantasmagory (ˌfæntæzməˈɡɔːrɪə, fænˈtæzməɡərɪ) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —n | |
| 1. | psychol a shifting medley of real or imagined figures, as in a dream |
| 2. | films a sequence of pictures made to vary in size rapidly while remaining in focus |
| 3. | rare a shifting scene composed of different elements |
| [C19: probably from French fantasmagorie production of phantasms, from | |
| phantasmagory or phantasmagory | |
| —n | |
| [C19: probably from French fantasmagorie production of phantasms, from | |
| phantasmagoric or phantasmagory | |
| —adj | |
| phantasma'gorical or phantasmagory | |
| —adj | |
| phantasma'gorically or phantasmagory | |
| —adv | |
| phantasmagoria or phantasmagory (ˌfæntæzməˈɡɔːrɪə, fænˈtæzməɡərɪ) | |
| —n | |
| 1. | psychol a shifting medley of real or imagined figures, as in a dream |
| 2. | films a sequence of pictures made to vary in size rapidly while remaining in focus |
| 3. | rare a shifting scene composed of different elements |
| [C19: probably from French fantasmagorie production of phantasms, from | |
| phantasmagory or phantasmagory | |
| —n | |
| [C19: probably from French fantasmagorie production of phantasms, from | |
| phantasmagoric or phantasmagory | |
| —adj | |
| phantasma'gorical or phantasmagory | |
| —adj | |
| phantasma'gorically or phantasmagory | |
| —adv | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
phantasmagoria
1802, name of a "magic lantern" exhibition brought to London in 1802 by Philipstal, the name an alteration of Fr. phantasmagorie, said to have been coined 1801 by Fr. dramatist Louis-Sébastien Mercier, from Gk. phantasma "image" + second element probably a Fr. form of Gk. agora "assembly" (but
this may have been chosen more for the dramatic sound than any literal sense). Transf. meaning "shifting scene of many elements" is attested from 1822.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Cite This Source
American Heritage
Medical Dictionary
phantasmagoria phan·tas·ma·go·ri·a (fān-tāz'mə-gôr'ē-ə) or phan·tas·ma·go·ry (fān-tāz'mə-gôr'ē)
n. phan·tas·ma·go·ri·as or phan·tas·ma·go·ries
A fantastic sequence of haphazardly associative imagery, as seen in dreams or fever.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Cite This Source
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Cite This Source
Nearby Words
Copyright © 2013 Dictionary.com, LLC. All rights reserved.
