hypnosis

[hip-noh-sis]

noun

plural

hypnoses 

1. an artificially induced trance state resembling sleep, characterized by heightened susceptibility to suggestion.

2. hypnotism.

hypnosis

/ hɪpˈnəʊsɪs /

noun

1. an artificially induced state of relaxation and concentration in which deeper parts of the mind become more accessible: used clinically to reduce reaction to pain, to encourage free association, etc See also autohypnosis

hypnosis

1. A trancelike state resembling sleep, usually induced by a therapist by focusing a subject's attention, that heightens the subject's receptivity to suggestion. The uses of hypnosis in medicine and psychology include recovering repressed memories, modifying or eliminating undesirable behavior (such as smoking), and treating certain chronic disorders, such as anxiety.

hypnosis

1. Placing persons in a drowsy, sleeplike state in which they allegedly become vulnerable to the suggestions made by the hypnotist. Hypnosis may also be used to tap into the unconscious and is often characterized by vivid recall of memories and fantasies. These properties make hypnosis a useful tool in psychotherapy. Hypnosis also has sinister implications, for subjects may be manipulated to perform embarrassing actions or be susceptible to carrying out the hypnotist's commands after the hypnosis session (posthypnotic suggestion).

Word History and Origins

Origin of hypnosis¹

First recorded in 1875–80; hypn(otic) + -osis

Example Sentences

His eyes seem to recede under his eyelids, as though entering a profound state of hypnosis.

From Los Angeles Times

Bianchi did so under hypnosis, and convinced more than one psychiatrist that he suffered from multiple personality disorder.

From Los Angeles Times

She has clients record themselves vocalizing their wants, turning down the volume on the recording until it’s inaudible, overlaying it with calming music and listening to it on repeat — a technique known as “subliminal hypnosis.”

From Los Angeles Times

Audiences had to liberate a cadre of musicians from hypnosis and do so by concocting scenarios in which the club’s proprietor was continually forced to leave the room.

From Los Angeles Times

Fraser wanted nothing else but to perform on stage, but knew he had to sort his own mind out first, so he tried the hypnosis techniques on himself.

From BBC

Related Words

• coma 
• slumber 
• trance