séance

American  

[sey-ahns] / ˈseɪ ɑns /

noun

1. a meeting in which a spiritualist attempts to communicate with the spirits of the dead.

2. a session or sitting, as of a class or organization.

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seance British  

/ ˈseɪɑ̃ns, -ɑːns /

noun

1. a meeting at which spiritualists attempt to receive messages from the spirits of the dead

2. a meeting of a society

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Spelling

See resume ².

Etymology

Origin of séance

1795–1805; < French: session, equivalent to sé-, base of seoir to sit ¹ (< Latin sedēre ) + -ance -ance