mesmerism

Etymology

From French mesmérisme, analysable as Mesmer + -ism; so called after Franz Anton Mesmer (1734–1815), a German physician who developed the animal magnetism theory.

noun

  1. The method or power of gaining control over someone's personality or actions, as in hypnosis or suggestion.
  2. The state induced by hypnotic methods (especially that of Mesmer himself).

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