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.

Origin of phantasmagoria

1795–1805; < French fantasmagorie, compound based on fantasme phantasm; second element perhaps representing Greek agorá assembly, gathering; see -ia

OTHER WORDS FROM phantasmagoria

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, adjective phan·tas·ma·gor·ist, noun

Example sentences 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 of phantasmagoria

phantasmagoric (ˌfæntæzməˈɡɒrɪk) or phantasmagorical, adjective phantasmagorically, adverb

Word Origin for phantasmagoria

C19: probably from French fantasmagorie production of phantasms, from phantasm + -agorie, perhaps from Greek ageirein to gather together

Medical definitions for phantasmagoria

phantasmagoria
[ făn-tăz′mə-gôrē-ə ]

n. pl. phan•tas•ma•go•ri•as

A fantastic sequence of haphazardly associative imagery, as seen in dreams or fever.