Definition

1. Noun:

   • A type of lamp that produces light by burning gas: A gaslight is a lamp that uses the combustion of illuminating gas (such as natural gas or coal gas) to produce light. This was a common form of street and indoor lighting before the widespread adoption of electric lights.
   • The light produced by such a lamp: The word can also refer to the light itself that is emitted from a gas-burning lamp.

2. Verb:

   • To manipulate someone into doubting their own sanity or perception of reality: This modern psychological meaning derives from the title of the 1938 play Gas Light and its film adaptations, in which a husband manipulates his wife into believing she is going insane. The verb "to gaslight" means to employ a series of deceptive techniques to make a person question their memory, judgment, and sanity.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • The old street was dimly lit by a single gaslight. (The lamp itself)
  • The warm glow of the gaslight filled the room. (The light produced)

• Verb:

  • He tried to gaslight her by denying things he had clearly said.
  • A common tactic of abusers is to gaslight their victims, making them feel confused and unreliable.

Advanced Usage

• "Gaslighting" (Gerund/Noun): The act or practice of manipulating someone in this way.
  • The documentary exposed the political campaign's use of gaslighting.
• "Gaslighter" (Noun): A person who gaslights others.
  • She finally realized her partner was a gaslighter and ended the relationship.

Variants and Related Words

• Gaslighting (n): The psychological manipulation tactic.
• Gaslighter (n): The person who performs the manipulation.
• Gaslit (adj): The state of having been subjected to gaslighting. (e.g., )

Synonyms

• Noun (lamp): Gas lamp, gas lantern.
• Verb (manipulate): Manipulate, brainwash, psychologically manipulate, mess with someone's head.

Related Phrases

• To gaslight someone into [doing/believing something]: To use psychological manipulation to achieve a specific result.
  • He gaslighted her into thinking she was incapable of living alone.

Noun

1. light yielded by the combustion of illuminating gas