hypnosis Phys.
(hɪpˈnəʊsɪs)
[f. Gr. type *ὕπνωσις, n. of action f. ὑπνό-ειν to put to sleep. Cf. F. hypnose morbid sleep.]
1. ‘The inducement or the gradual approach of sleep’ (Syd. Soc. Lex. 1886).
| 1876 Harley Mat. Med. (ed. 6) 765 It invariably produced hypnosis and contraction of the pupil in him. |
2. Artificially produced sleep: esp. that induced by hypnotism; the hypnotic state.
| 1882 Quain's Dict. Med. 973 The too ready adoption of hypnosis or Braidism may do harm rather than good. 1892 Brit. Med. Jrnl. 27 Aug. 459 The stages of hypnosis attained, varied from a slight degree of drowsiness to deep trance. 1893 Pall Mall G. 10 Jan. 2/1 The waking from hypnosis occurs through immediate action of the imagination, the command to wake up, or through sense [etc.]. 1898 Times 13 July 4/1 Any suggestion offered to a person during hypnosis has an exaggerated effect on his mind. |