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Mesmerism - Dictionary Definition and Overview |
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Mesmerism : (noun)
1: the act of inducing hypnosis [syn: hypnotism, suggestion]
Based on WordNet 2.0
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Mesmerism : \Mes"mer*ism\, n. [Based on Mesmer, who first brought it
into notice at Vienna, about
1775: cf. F. mesm['e]risme.]
The art of inducing an extraordinary or abnormal state of the
nervous system, in which the actor claims to control the
actions, and communicate directly with the mind, of the
recipient. See Animal magnetism, under Magnetism.
Based on Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
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Mesmerism : Mesmerism: 1. Originally, a system of therapeutics propounded by Mesmer.
2. A precursor of hypnotism, believed by Mesmer to involve animal magnetism.
3. By
extension, the power to fascinate in a way that is almost hypnotic.
The term mesmerism is named after the physician Franz (originally Friedrich) Anton Mesmer (1734-1815), who propounded his theory
of animal magnetism or mesmerism. Mesmer stroked his patients first with magnets and later with his hands, believing he possessed animal magnetism. Mesmer's system of therapeutics was a forerunner of
modern hypnotism.
Based on Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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