Definition of hypnotism Hypnotism

/hɪˈpnʌtɪˌzʌm/ - [hipnutizum] - hyp•no•tism

We found 5 definitions of hypnotism from 5 different sources.

What does hypnotism mean?

Noun Plural: hypnotisms
hypnotism - the act of inducing hypnosis
		mesmerism, suggestion
		influence causing something without any direct or apparent effort

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hypnotism (n.)
A form of sleep or somnambulism brought on by artificial means, in which there is an unusual suspension of some powers, and an unusual activity of others. It is induced by an action upon the nerves, through the medium of the senses, as in persons of very feeble organization, by gazing steadly at a very bright object held before the eyes, or by pressure upon certain points of the surface of the body.

hypnotism
hip′no-tizm, n. a sleep-like condition induced by artificial means: a nervous sleep like the condition under mesmerism.—n. Hypnogen′esis, production of hypnotism—also Hypnog′eny.—adj. Hypnogenet′ic.—adv. Hypnogenet′ically.—adjs. Hypnogen′ic, Hypnot′ic, having the property of producing sleep; Hypnog′enous.—ns. Hypnol′ogy, the sum of knowledge about sleep; Hypnō′sis, the production of sleep: the hypnotic state; Hypnot′ic, a medicine that induces sleep; Hypnotisabil′ity.—adj. Hyp′notisable.—n. Hypnotisā′tion.—v.t. Hyp′notīse, to subject to hypnotism, to produce hypnotic sleep in any one.—n. Hyp′notīser.—adjs. Hypnotis′tic; Hyp′notoid, like hypnotism. [Coined in 1843 from Gr. hypnos, sleep.]