autokinetic effect

noun Psychology.

apparent motion of a single point of light or a small object when presented on a dark field and observed continuously.

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Nearby words

autojumble, autokeratoplasty, autokinesia, autokinesis, autokinetic, autokinetic effect, autokinetic phenomenon, autolithography, autoloader, autoloading, autologous

Origin of autokinetic effect

First recorded in 1930–35

Also called autokinetic illusion.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019