What does mesmerism mean?
Mesmerism names both a historical practice and a modern metaphor for intense fascination. In its original context, it referred to methods associated with the eighteenth-century physician Franz Anton Mesmer, who claimed that healing and behavioural change could be influenced through an invisible force he called animal magnetism. Although his theories were not accepted by modern medicine, mesmerism became an important early stage in the history of hypnotism. Today, the word is much more common figuratively: something that holds someone spellbound or commands complete attention can exert a kind of mesmerism over an audience. The expression is especially suited to descriptions of compelling performances, charismatic speakers, unusual ideas, and dramatic scenes. Its historical associations give it a slightly old-fashioned, literary quality, while also preserving the memorable idea that fascination can be so powerful that it seems almost hypnotic.
nounMesmerism is the practice or power of inducing a trance-like state of heightened attention or suggestibility, especially through the methods associated with Franz Anton Mesmer. In modern figurative use, it refers to an intense fascination or captivation.
- The state or influence of being fascinated, entranced, or unusually attentive to someone or something.
- Historically, the practice or doctrine of inducing a trance-like state through Mesmer's methods, once associated with animal magnetism.
"The speaker held the audience under a kind of mesmerism, drawing every eye in the room."
"Her performance was so compelling that the audience fell completely under its mesmerism."
"In the eighteenth century, mesmerism attracted followers who believed that invisible forces could influence health and behaviour."
Pluralization is grammatically regular, but plural forms are uncommon because mesmerism is normally used as an uncountable abstract noun.
"The exhibition explored how different kinds of mesmerism shape a viewer's attention."
Mesmerism gave its name to a powerful 18th-century healing theory—and to the modern English word for being utterly captivated.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does mesmerism come from?
The word was formed in the nineteenth century from the name of Franz Anton Mesmer and the suffix -ism, denoting his system or practice. Alongside it developed the related forms mesmerist, mesmeric, and mesmerize, which carried the association with Mesmer's methods into broader descriptions of fascination and captivation. The English word spread during the period when Mesmer's animal-magnetism theory was widely debated in Europe.
Related word forms
How mesmerism is actually used
The word is now uncommon in its historical medical sense and is usually literary or figurative. Its figurative use suggests an unusually strong fascination or captivation, often involving a performer, speaker, or idea.
Easily confused with mesmerism
Mesmerism is the historical practice or influence associated with Mesmer, whereas hypnosis is the broader modern term for inducing and experiencing a trance-like state.