phi-phenomenon
[ fahy-fi-nom-uh-non, -nuh n ]
/ ˈfaɪ fɪˌnɒm əˌnɒn, -nən /
noun, plural phi-phe·nom·e·na [fahy-fi-nom-uh-nuh] /ˈfaɪ fɪˌnɒm ə nə/. Psychology.
motion perceived by a subject, especially the illusion of movement produced when stationary stimuli, as pictures or lights, are presented in rapid succession and are sometimes in slightly different positions.
Origin of phi-phenomenon
First recorded in 1925–30
Words nearby phi-phenomenon
phfft,
phi,
phi beta kappa,
phi bete,
phi-function,
phi-phenomenon,
phial,
phiale,
phialophora,
phibbi,
phichol
British Dictionary definitions for phi-phenomenon
phi-phenomenon
/ (ˈfaɪfɪˌnɒmɪnən) /
noun plural -na (-nə) psychol
the illusion that when two lights are rapidly turned on and off in succession something appears to move backwards and forwards between them while the lights stay stationary
a similar illusion in which one light appears to move smoothly backwards and forwards
Word Origin for phi-phenomenon
C20: arbitrary use of Greek
phi