Brewer's: Hypnotism

The art of producing trance-sleep, or hypnosis; or the state of being hypnotised. (Greek, hupnos, sleep.)

“The method, discovered by Mr. Braid, of prod ucing this state ... appropriately designated ... hypnotism, consists in the maintenance of a fixed gaze for several minutes ... on a bright object placed somewhat above [the line of sight], at so short a distance [as to produce pain].” —Carpenter: Principles of Mental Physiology, book ii. chap. i. p. 65.

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