Hallucinate: meaning, definitions and examples
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hallucinate
[həˈluːsɪneɪt ]
Definitions
mental health
Perceive things that are not actually present; experience hallucinations.
Synonyms
have visions, imagine, see things.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| hallucinate |
This word is used in a medical or psychological context to describe seeing or experiencing things that are not actually there, often due to illness, drugs, or mental health conditions.
|
| see things |
This phrase can imply that someone is seeing things that aren't real, but it is a more informal and less clinical way to express hallucination. It can have a neutral or slightly negative connotation.
|
| have visions |
This phrase can be used in a religious, mystical, or spiritual context where someone believes they are seeing divine or prophetic images.
|
| imagine |
This word is used when someone is thinking of something that isn't real or is performing a creative process. It is not typically associated with mental illness.
|
Examples of usage
- I started to hallucinate after not sleeping for several days.
- She claimed to be hallucinating strange creatures in the room.
informal
Delusion; have a false perception of reality.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| hallucinate |
Used when someone sees or hears things that aren't actually there, often due to mental illness, drugs, or extreme fatigue.
|
| delude |
Used when someone is made to believe something that is not true, often because they are deceiving themselves or are being deceived by others.
|
| misinterpret |
Used when someone understands something incorrectly or makes a mistake in interpreting information.
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Examples of usage
- He's hallucinating if he thinks he can finish the project in one day.
- Don't listen to him, he's just hallucinating about his abilities.
Interesting Facts
Etymology
- The word comes from the Latin 'hallucinari', meaning 'to wander in the mind' or 'to dream'.
- It first appeared in English in the 17th century, originally referring to a state of being distracted.
- The prefix 'halluc-' relates to the idea of wandering from reality.
Psychology
- Hallucinations can occur in various mental health conditions, such as schizophrenia or severe depression.
- They can also happen during extreme stress or sleep deprivation, showing the mind's vulnerability.
- Certain substances, like LSD or mushrooms, can induce hallucinations, altering perception of reality.
Cultural Perspectives
- In different cultures, hallucinations have been interpreted as spiritual experiences or communication with other realms.
- Some indigenous groups use hallucinogenic plants for ceremonial purposes, believing they connect them to ancestors or spirits.
- In art and music, hallucinations are often used to explore the boundaries of reality and perception.
Literature
- Famous authors, like Edgar Allan Poe, wrote about hallucinations to convey themes of madness and existential dread.
- Poetry often uses metaphorical hallucination to explore deep emotional states or surreal experiences.
- Contemporary authors sometimes portray characters who hallucinate to dive into their psychological struggles.
Neuroscience
- Studies show that hallucinations may arise from misinterpretations by the brain’s sensory processing pathways.
- Neuroscientists are exploring how disruptions in brain chemistry relate to hallucination experiences.
- Functional brain imaging has revealed specific brain areas that activate during hallucinations, shedding light on their mechanisms.
Translations
Translations of the word "hallucinate" in other languages:
🇵🇹 alucinar
🇮🇳 मतिभ्रम होना
🇩🇪 halluzinieren
🇮🇩 berhalusinasi
🇺🇦 галюцинувати
🇵🇱 halucynować
🇯🇵 幻覚を起こす
🇫🇷 halluciner
🇪🇸 alucinar
🇹🇷 halüsinasyon görmek
🇰🇷 환각을 경험하다
🇸🇦 يهلوس
🇨🇿 halucinovat
🇸🇰 halucinovať
🇨🇳 产生幻觉
🇸🇮 halucinirati
🇮🇸 ofsjónir
🇰🇿 галлюцинация көру
🇬🇪 ჰალუცინაცია
🇦🇿 halüsinasiya görmək
🇲🇽 alucinar