phantasmagoria
[ fan-taz-muh-gawr-ee-uh, -gohr- ]
/ fænˌtæz məˈgɔr i ə, -ˈgoʊr- /
noun
a shifting series of phantasms, illusions, or deceptive appearances, as in a dream or as created by the imagination.
a changing scene made up of many elements.
an optical illusion produced by a magic lantern or the like in which figures increase or diminish in size, pass into each other, dissolve, etc.
RELATED WORDS
Nearby words
phanotron, phantasia, phantasize, phantasm, phantasma, phantasmagoria, phantasmagoric, phantasmagory, phantasmal, phantast, phantasy
Origin of phantasmagoria
Related forms
phan·tas·ma·go·ri·al, phan·tas·ma·gor·ic [fan-taz-muh-gawr-ik, -gor-] /fænˌtæz məˈgɔr ɪk, -ˈgɒr-/, phan·tas·ma·go·ri·an, adjectivephan·tas·ma·gor·ist, nounDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for phantasmagoria
British Dictionary definitions for phantasmagoria
phantasmagoria
phantasmagory (fænˈtæzməɡərɪ)
/ (ˌfæntæzməˈɡɔːrɪə) /
noun
psychol a shifting medley of real or imagined figures, as in a dream
films a sequence of pictures made to vary in size rapidly while remaining in focus
rare a shifting scene composed of different elements
Derived Forms
phantasmagoric (ˌfæntæzməˈɡɒrɪk) or phantasmagorical, adjectivephantasmagorically, adverbWord Origin for phantasmagoria
C19: probably from French fantasmagorie production of phantasms, from phantasm + -agorie, perhaps from Greek ageirein to gather together
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
Medicine definitions for phantasmagoria
phantasmagoria
[ făn-tăz′mə-gôr′ē-ə ]
n. pl. phan•tas•ma•go•ri•as
A fantastic sequence of haphazardly associative imagery, as seen in dreams or fever.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.