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Synonyms

mesmerism

American  
[mez-muh-riz-uhm, mes-] / ˈmɛz məˌrɪz əm, ˈmɛs- /

noun

  1. hypnosis as induced, according to F. A. Mesmer, through animal magnetism.

  2. hypnotism.

  3. a compelling attraction; fascination.


mesmerism British  
/ ˈmɛzməˌrɪzəm /

noun

  1. a hypnotic state induced by the operator's imposition of his will on that of the patient

  2. an early doctrine concerning this

"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

Other Word Forms


Etymology

Origin of mesmerism

First recorded in 1775–85; Mesmer + -ism


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Chapnick discovered Alcott’s other stories as part of his research into spiritualism and mesmerism.

From Seattle Times ● Jan. 17, 2024

Richter then turned to the master of musical mesmerism for the movie’s soundtrack, to be performed live by a 14-player chamber ensemble of strings, winds and pairs of vibraphones and pianos.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 5, 2023

Barnum, the vogue for mesmerism, theories of the universe, the birth of the Smithsonian Institution and, not least, the careers of the important early American scientists Joseph Henry and Alexander Dallas Bache.

From Washington Post ● Jun. 2, 2021

Other scholars have traced this mishmash of mind cures, millennialism, mesmerism, spiritualism, theosophy and other strains of pseudoscience and mysticism.

From New York Times ● Apr. 26, 2019

In addition to its medical uses, mesmerism was a popular fad, performed in theaters or at home parties.

From "American Spirits" by Barb Rosenstock

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