trance

¹

[trans, trahns]

noun

1. a half-conscious state, seemingly between sleeping and waking, in which ability to function voluntarily may be suspended.

2. a dazed or bewildered condition.

3. a state of complete mental absorption or deep musing.

4. an unconscious, cataleptic, or hypnotic condition.

5. Spiritualism.,  a temporary state in which a medium, with suspension of personal consciousness, is controlled by an intelligence from without and used as a means of communication, as from the dead.

verb (used with object)

tranced, trancing 

1. to put in a trance; stupefy.

2. to entrance; enrapture.

trance

²

Or transe

[trahns]

noun

1. a passageway, as a hallway, alley, or the like.

verb (used without object)

tranced, trancing 

1. to move or walk rapidly or briskly.

trance

/ trɑːns /

noun

1. a hypnotic state resembling sleep

2. any mental state in which a person is unaware or apparently unaware of the environment, characterized by loss of voluntary movement, rigidity, and lack of sensitivity to external stimuli

3. a dazed or stunned state

4. a state of ecstasy or mystic absorption so intense as to cause a temporary loss of consciousness at the earthly level

5. spiritualism a state in which a medium, having temporarily lost consciousness, can supposedly be controlled by an intelligence from without as a means of communication with the dead

6. a type of electronic dance music with repetitive rhythms, aiming at a hypnotic effect

verb

1. (tr) to put into or as into a trance

Other Word Forms

• trancelike adjective
• trancedly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of trance¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English traunce, trauns(e), “state of extreme dread, swoon, dazed state,” from Old French transe “passage (from life to death),” derivative of transir “to go across, pass over,” from Latin trānsīre, equivalent to trāns- trans- + īre “to go”

Origin of trance²

First recorded in 1540–50; origin uncertain; perhaps shortening of transit ( def. )

Word History and Origins

Origin of trance¹

C14: from Old French transe , from transir to faint, pass away, from Latin trānsīre to go over, from _trans- + īre to go

Example Sentences

The accordionist commands the stage, his eyes staring off as if in a trance, his fingers trilling out the opening notes of a tune.

From Los Angeles Times

So, after my haircut, I hypnotised someone in the shop using the same language and pattens used in the DVD and the person just dropped unconscious and in a trance.

From BBC

We were so tired, but in a different kind of trance than the one Amazon keeps us in — one I remember far more distinctly than the one that leads to purchasing new workout pants.

From Salon

He was in one of those rare athletic trances that bring out moments of greatness.

From Los Angeles Times

For almost 20 years, they have gathered to learn about the healing power of UFOs, trance channeling, the power of animal communication and near-death experiences.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• coma 
• rapture 
• reverie 
• stupor 
• unconsciousness