hypnosis

[ hip-noh-sis ]

noun

, plural hyp·no·ses [hip-, noh, -seez].

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

/ hĭp-nō′sĭs /

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

Self-help videos offered advice on relationships, wellness, business success and spirituality - including hypnosis, meditation and exercise programmes.

From BBC

Rather than doing what it should do—banning TikTok immediately, and requiring mass hypnosis on entrepreneurs to ensure that no similar app ever comes along again—it gives TikTok’s Chinese parent company 270 days to sell the app.

From Slate

Serious drama without a celebrity draw is an extremely tough sell in this era of entertainment-on-demand and social media hypnosis.

From Los Angeles Times

They gave the company their youth; they're the most skilled programmers on the staff, while Peter is merely skating by and, following a hypnosis session, tries to quiet quit.

From Salon

People who stumble onto the Discord server for Hypnospace Outlaw, Tholen said, are often “looking for hypnosis sex stuff” in real life.

From New York Times

Related Words

• coma
• slumber
• trance