Mesmer
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Definition
- Proper noun:
- A historical figure: Franz Anton Mesmer, an 18th-century Austrian physician known for developing a theory and therapeutic practice he called "animal magnetism," which was a precursor to modern hypnotism.
Usage
- The term "mesmer" is used almost exclusively as a proper noun to refer to the historical person, Franz Anton Mesmer. It is rarely used in a general sense.
- Example:
Advanced Usage
- The name "Mesmer" is the etymological root for the verb "mesmerize," meaning to hold someone's attention completely or to hypnotize.
- His performance mesmerized the audience. (This usage derives from the name Mesmer but is a separate word.)
Variants and Related Words
- Mesmerism (noun): The therapeutic system of "animal magnetism" practiced by Franz Anton Mesmer.
- Mesmerism was a popular but controversial practice in the 18th century.
- Mesmerist (noun): A practitioner of mesmerism.
- The mesmerist claimed he could cure various ailments.
- Mesmerize (verb): To capture the complete attention of someone; to hypnotize. (This is the most common modern derivative).
- The storyteller could mesmerize children with her tales.
Synonyms
- As a proper noun referring to the person, there are no direct synonyms. In the context of his role, one might use descriptive phrases.
- Historical figure, physician, pioneer of hypnotism.
Related Phrases
- Animal magnetism: The term used by Franz Mesmer for the supposed natural energetic force he believed he could manipulate for healing. This phrase is directly associated with him.
- Mesmer's concept of animal magnetism was later discredited by a scientific commission.
Notes
- The word "mesmer" itself is not commonly used in modern English outside of a historical context referring specifically to Franz Anton Mesmer. The derived terms "mesmerism" and, especially, "mesmerize" are far more prevalent in contemporary language.
Noun
- Austrian physician who tried to treat diseases with a form of hypnotism (1734-1815)