illusionism

American  

[ih-loo-zhuh-niz-uhm] / ɪˈlu ʒəˌnɪz əm /

noun

1. a technique of using pictorial methods in order to deceive the eye.

2. Philosophy. a theory or doctrine that the material world is an illusion.

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illusionism British  

/ ɪˈluːʒəˌnɪzəm /

noun

1. philosophy the doctrine that the external world exists only in illusory sense perceptions

2. the use of highly illusory effects in art or decoration, esp the use of perspective in painting to create an impression of three-dimensional reality

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Other Word Forms

• illusionistic
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of illusionism

First recorded in 1835–45; illusion + -ism