hypnotism

American  

[hip-nuh-tiz-uhm] / ˈhɪp nəˌtɪz əm /

noun

1. the science dealing with the induction of hypnosis.

2. the act of hypnotizing.

3. hypnosis.

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hypnotism British  

/ ˈhɪpnəˌtɪzəm /

noun

1. the scientific study and practice of hypnosis

2. the process of inducing hypnosis

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Other Word Forms

• hypnotist
  noun
• hypnotistic
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of hypnotism

Shortening of neuro-hypnotism, term introduced by British surgeon James Braid (1795–1860) in 1842; see hypnotic, -ism

Explanation

The act of putting someone into a hypnotic trance is called hypnotism, and it's usually done by a hypnotist. Some doctors use hypnotism to help patients break bad habits and addictions like smoking. There are also hypnotists who work as entertainers, using hypnotism to put volunteers into mesmerized states and then suggesting they do silly things to make the audience laugh. The original term was neuro-hypnotism, coined in 1842 by Dr. James Braid, who was an early researcher and practitioner of hypnotism.

Example Sentences

Unlike previous Family Leadership Summits, which had speakers like David Noebel, the author of the 1965 classic Communism, Hypnotism and the Beatles, this was a relatively restrained gathering.

From The Guardian • Jul. 19, 2015

Hypnotism appears to be effective in reducing pain.

From Textbooks • Sep. 19, 2013

Then, in the late 1990s, Bachmann began reading David A. Boebel, an actual John Bircher Society member and minister who wrote in insane pamphlets for crazy people with names like "Communism, Hypnotism, and the Beatles."

From Salon • Aug. 8, 2011

Hypnotism does, however, permit the operator to penetrate so deeply into the personality of his patient that no one dares play with the art.

From Time Magazine Archive

Hypnotism is mental suggestion, the suggestions being human and material, not divine truth.

From Carmen Ariza by Stocking, Charles Francis