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, tranc·ing.

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, tranc·ing.

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

Derived Forms

• ˈtranceˌlike, adjective

Other Words From

• tranced·ly [transt, -lee, tran, -sid-lee], adverb
• trancelike adjective

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

When he enters the water, the light begins to turn different colors, and he falls into what feels like a trance.

From Vox

I spent a long time trying to overcome that painful and bitter trance on my own, drawing upon my strength to get up from my hiding place.

From Washington Blade

It’s an 18-and-over party that fans of vocal trance shouldn’t miss.

From Washington Post

Players stopped in a trance, most seeming to know immediately the severity of the injury.

From Washington Post

Ten days later, a “Welcome to California” sign shook me from the trance of those thoughts.

From Outside Online

"I was in a trance and I couldn't see anything else," LaRose said at her sentencing.

From The Daily Beast

The simultaneously upbeat and sentimental ode to friendship is equal parts funk, trance, pop, and R&B.

From The Daily Beast

Ed described himself as a demonologist, while Lorraine, who is 87, calls herself a trance medium.

From The Daily Beast

Twenty people surround Grace, all of them intently studying her trance state.

From The Daily Beast

If successful, the three-day waking trance will eliminate her chemical dependence on heroin.

From The Daily Beast

Ripperda roused himself from his portentous trance, and arrayed his noble figure in the rugged habiliments of the muleteer.

From Project Gutenberg

As in a trance he crosses the room, seizes charcoal, and feverishly works at the blank canvas on the easel.

From Project Gutenberg

As in a trance he crosses the cell, seizes a piece of charcoal, and feverishly works at the picture on the easel!

From Project Gutenberg

Joan stared at him; she was still dazed and bewildered, and still imagined herself with the companion of her trance.

From Project Gutenberg

It was just like a bird, and when she sang the Southern melodies she seemed to be in a trance, seeing things we could not see.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• coma
• rapture
• reverie
• stupor
• unconsciousness