mesmerist

/'mezmərist/

Thân thiện

A mesmerist holds a pocket watch to help a patient relax.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A practitioner of mesmerism: A person who performs or practices mesmerism, an early form of hypnosis or therapeutic technique involving the induction of a trance-like state.
   • A hypnotist: A person who induces hypnosis, often for therapeutic or entertainment purposes.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The Victorian-era mesmerist claimed he could cure various ailments through his techniques.
  • She consulted a professional mesmerist to help manage her anxiety.

Advanced Usage

• Historical Context: The term is strongly associated with Franz Anton Mesmer (1734–1815), whose theories about "animal magnetism" preceded modern hypnosis. A "mesmerist" originally referred to a follower or practitioner of Mesmer's methods.
  • The 19th-century novel featured a traveling mesmerist who captivated village audiences.

Variants and Related Words

• Mesmerism (n): The therapeutic system or practice developed by Franz Mesmer; a historical term for hypnosis.
  • The study of mesmerism offers insight into the history of psychology.
• Mesmerize (v): To hold the attention of someone entirely; to hypnotize.
  • The speaker's voice seemed to mesmerize the entire crowd.
• Mesmeric (adj): Relating to mesmerism; fascinating or hypnotic in effect.
  • The dancer's movements had a mesmeric quality.

Synonyms

• Hypnotist: A person who induces hypnosis.
• Hypnotherapist: A therapist who uses hypnosis as a treatment tool.

Related Phrases

• Stage mesmerist: A performer who uses hypnosis for entertainment, common in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
  • The stage mesmerist asked for volunteers from the audience.

Học thuật

Noun

1. a person who induces hypnosis

Từ đồng nghĩa

• hypnotist
• hypnotizer
• hypnotiser
• mesmerizer