séance

American  

[sey-ahns] / ˈseɪ ɑns /

noun

1. a meeting in which a spiritualist attempts to communicate with the spirits of the dead.

2. a session or sitting, as of a class or organization.

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seance British  

/ ˈseɪɑ̃ns, -ɑːns /

noun

1. a meeting at which spiritualists attempt to receive messages from the spirits of the dead

2. a meeting of a society

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Spelling

See resume ².

Etymology

Origin of séance

1795–1805; < French: session, equivalent to sé-, base of seoir to sit ¹ (< Latin sedēre ) + -ance -ance

Example Sentences

His audience laughed when Burr demonstrated the many ways mediums could move objects, answer questions, or otherwise trick unsuspecting séance goers.

From Literature

He was in final rewrites for a book about his first Arctic expedition; she was finishing prior séance commitments.

From Literature

The attentive Henry Jencken was once again among the guests at an 1872 dinner and séance in London.

From Literature

Her sober after-dinner séance was a great success.

From Literature

The séance format that they developed allowed three working-class, barely educated women to advise higher-class, well-educated men, who never would have listened otherwise.

From Literature