mesmerism

Definitions

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

Equivalents

Examples

“What is the secret mesmerism which friendship possesses, and under the operation of which a person ordinarily sluggish, or cold, or timid, becomes wise, active, and resolute, in another's behalf?”

“...the fact stood proven that I had seen it in my vision. Lawks! ...When the magician's engagement closed there was but one person in the village who did not believe⟳ in mesmerism, and I was the one. All the others were converted, but I was to remain⟳ an implacable and unpersuadable disbeliever in mesmerism and hypnotism for close⟳ upon fifty years.”

CEFR level