mesmerism

[ mez-muh-riz-uh m, mes- ]
/ ˈmɛz məˌrɪz əm, ˈmɛs- /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR mesmerism ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

hypnosis as induced, according to F. A. Mesmer, through animal magnetism.
hypnotism.
a compelling attraction; fascination.

Origin of mesmerism

First recorded in 1775–85; Mesmer + -ism

OTHER WORDS FROM mesmerism

mes·mer·ist, noun

Words nearby mesmerism

mesioversion, mesityl oxide, mesitylene, mesmer, mesmeric, mesmerism, mesmerize, mesnalty, mesne, mesne lord, meso-

Words related to mesmerism

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

Example sentences from the Web for mesmerism

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

Medical definitions for mesmerism

mesmerism
[ mĕz′mə-rĭz′əm, mĕs′- ]

n.

A strong or spellbinding appeal; fascination.
Hypnotic induction that is believed to involve animal magnetism.
Hypnotism.