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mesmerism

[ mez-muh-riz-uhm, mes- ]
/ ˈmɛz məˌrɪz əm, ˈmɛs- /
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noun
hypnosis as induced, according to F. A. Mesmer, through animal magnetism.
hypnotism.
a compelling attraction; fascination.
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Origin of mesmerism

First recorded in 1775–85; Mesmer + -ism

OTHER WORDS FROM mesmerism

mes·mer·ist, noun

Words nearby mesmerism

mesic, mesitylene, mesityl oxide, Mesmer, mesmeric, mesmerism, mesmerize, mesmerized, mesmerizing, mesnalty, mesne
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Words related to mesmerism

allure, charisma, fascination, hypnosis, hypnotherapy, suggestion, appeal, attraction, draw, enchantment, glamour, hypnotism, influence, lure, magic, power, pull, spell, witchcraft, witchery

How to use mesmerism in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for mesmerism

mesmerism
/ (ˈmɛzməˌrɪzəm) /
noun psychol
a hypnotic state induced by the operator's imposition of his will on that of the patient
an early doctrine concerning this

Derived forms of mesmerism

mesmerist, noun

Word Origin for mesmerism

C19: named after F. A. Mesmer (1734–1815), Austrian physician
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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