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.
The study or act of inducing hypnosis.
amnesia trance for the purpose of planting suggestions.
"an empirical development of sleep (Myers); a peculiar state of consciousness, artificially induced, which liberates subconscious powers in the subject, puts him en rapport with the hypnotiser, makes him accept and meticulously execute any of his suggestions, whether hypnotic or post-hypnotic, which do not conflict with deeper instincts of self-preservation and morality, and produces strange physiological effects as anaesthesia and the remarkable control over organic processes of the body." See HYPNOTISM.
The theory or practice of hypnosis.
An induced trance or sleep state.
"anempirical development of sleep (Myers); a peculiar state ofconsciousness, artificially induced, which liberates subconsciouspowers in the subject, puts him en rapport with thehypnotiser, makes him accept and meticulously execute any of hissuggestions, whether hypnotic or post-hypnotic, which do not conflictwith deeper instincts of self-preservation and morality, and producesstrange physiological effects as anaesthesia and the remarkablecontrol over organic processes of the body." See HYPNOTISM.
The process of inducing a "dream"-like trance in a person who is awake. Suggestions made by the hypnotist during this time can sometimes "unconsciously" control the person's behavior even after he or she comes out of the trance.