mesmerism

Noun

mesmerism (countable and uncountable, plural mesmerisms)

1. (broadly) The method or power of gaining control over someone's personality or actions.
   • Near-synonyms: hypnosis, hypnotism, power of suggestion
   • What is the secret mesmerism which friendship possesses, and under the operation of which a person ordinarily sluggish, or cold, or timid, becomes wise, active, and resolute, in another's behalf?1847 January – 1848 July, William Makepeace Thackeray, chapter 23, in Vanity Fair […], London: Bradbury and Evans […], published 1848, →OCLC

   Synonyms:

   hypnosis, hypnotism, power of suggestion

   1. (broadly, strictly) The theory and practice of Mesmer himself or his disciples, which involved hypnosis and a superstructure of theory that included animal magnetism.
2. The state induced by hypnotic methods (especially those of Mesmer himself).
   • Near-synonyms: hypnosis, trance
   • ...the fact stood proven that I had seen it in my vision. Lawks! ...When the magician's engagement closed there was but one person in the village who did not believe in mesmerism, and I was the one. All the others were converted, but I was to remain an implacable and unpersuadable disbeliever in...2010, Mark Twain, Autobiography of Mark Twain, volume 2, page 302

   Synonyms:

   hypnosis, trance