'Hypnotism' definitions:
Definition of 'hypnotism'
From: WordNet
noun
The act of inducing hypnosis [syn: hypnotism, mesmerism, suggestion]
Definition of 'Hypnotism'
From: GCIDE
- Hypnotism \Hyp"no*tism\, n. [Gr. ? sleep: cf. F. hypnotisme.]
- 1. A form of sleep or trance, in some respects resembling somnambulism, but brought on by artificial means, in which there is an unusual suspension of some powers, and an unusual activity of others, especially a heightened susceptibility to suggestion. It is induced by an action upon the nerves, through the medium of the senses, by causing the subject to gaze steadily at a very bright object held before the eyes, or on an oscillating object, or by pressure upon certain points of the surface of the body, usually accompanied by the speaking of the hypnotist in quiet soothing tones. Called also hypnosis. [1913 Webster +PJC]
- 2. The science which deals with the induction and properties of the hypnotic state. [PJC]
Definition of 'hypnotism'
From: GCIDE
- Mesmerism \Mes"mer*ism\, n. [From Mesmer, who first brought it into notice at Vienna, about 1775: cf. F. mesm['e]risme.] An earlier name for hypnosis or hypnotism, 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. It is believed to be a state between sleep and wakefulness, in which a person is more susceptible to suggestion than when awake. See Animal magnetism, under Magnetism. [1913 Webster]
Synonyms of 'hypnotism'
From: Moby Thesaurus
- animal magnetism,
- Arica movement,
- assertiveness training,
- autosuggestion,
- behavior modification,
- behavior therapy,
- bioenergetics,
- biofeedback,
- confrontation therapy,
- conjoint therapy,
- consciousness raising,
- counseling,
- directive therapy,
- encounter therapy,
- Erhard Seminars Training,
- est,
- family training,
- feminist therapy,
- gestalt therapy,
- group psychotherapy,
- group relations training,
- group sensitivity training,
- group therapy,
- humanistic therapy,
- hypnoanalysis,
- hypnology,
- hypnosis,
- hypnotherapy,
- hypnotic suggestion,
- marathon,
- marriage encounter,
- mesmerism,
- mesmerization,
- mind cure,
- narcoanalysis,
- narcohypnosis,
- narcosynthesis,
- narcotherapy,
- New Consciousness,
- nondirective therapy,
- occupational therapy,
- od,
- odyl,
- odylic force,
- pastoral counseling,
- Pentothal interview,
- play therapy,
- posthypnotic suggestion,
- power of suggestion,
- primal therapy,
- prolonged narcosis,
- psychodrama,
- psychological counseling,
- psychosurgery,
- psychosynthesis,
- psychotherapeutics,
- psychotherapy,
- radical therapy,
- rational-emotive therapy,
- reality therapy,
- recreational therapy,
- regression therapy,
- release therapy,
- SAT,
- scream therapy,
- self-hypnosis,
- self-suggestion,
- sensitivity training,
- sensory awareness training,
- sleep treatment,
- suggestibility,
- suggestion therapy,
- suggestionism,
- supportive therapy,
- T-group,
- training group,
- transactional analysis,
- transcendental meditation,
- transpersonal therapy,
- vocational therapy