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Hallucinatory Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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hallucinatory

[hษ™หˆluหsษชnษ™tษ™ri ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

psychology

Causing or characterized by hallucinations, which are perceptions that appear real but are created by the mind.

Synonyms

delusional, illusory, phantasmagoric.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
hallucinatory

Used when referring to experiences or perceptions similar to seeing or hearing things that are not real, often due to mental illness or drug use. Indicates distorted sense of reality.

  • The patient described hallucinatory visions of colors and shapes.
  • After taking the medication, he experienced a hallucinatory state.
delusional

Used to describe a person or behavior characterized by holding false beliefs, typically as part of a mental disorder. It often has a negative connotation.

  • She was delusional, believing she was famous when no one knew who she was.
  • His delusional thoughts led him to make irrational decisions.
illusory

Used when something appears to be true or real but is actually false or deceptive. Often used in abstract contexts such as perceptions, feelings, or beliefs.

  • The security of the job was illusory, as the company was about to go bankrupt.
  • His sense of control was entirely illusory.
phantasmagoric

Used to describe something that is dream-like, surreal, or like a rapidly changing series of images, often with a fantastical or strange quality.

  • The movie's phantasmagoric scenes left the audience in awe.
  • Her dreams were filled with phantasmagoric landscapes and bizarre creatures.

Examples of usage

  • The patient experienced hallucinatory visions after taking the medication.
  • She described the hallucinatory experience as both terrifying and fascinating.
Context #2 | Adjective

literature

Relating to or resembling hallucinations, especially in being vivid, dreamlike, or surreal.

Synonyms

dreamlike, fantastical, surreal.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
hallucinatory

Typically used in medical or psychological contexts to describe visions or experiences that feel real but are created by the mind.

  • She experienced hallucinatory episodes due to the high fever
  • The artist's paintings evoke a hallucinatory world full of bizarre creatures
surreal

Applied to situations or scenes that are strange and beyond what one would expect in reality; often used in artistic and literary contexts.

  • Walking through the empty city at night felt surreal
  • The surreal images in the film caused viewers to question their sense of reality
fantastical

Used to describe something that is imaginative and magical, often found in fantasy literature or film.

  • The movie's plot is filled with fantastical creatures and magical kingdoms
  • His storytelling ability makes even the most mundane scenarios seem fantastical
dreamlike

Best suited for describing something that resembles the experiences or visuals in a dream; often used in poetic or artistic descriptions.

  • The meadow had a dreamlike quality with its vibrant flowers and soft sunlight
  • Her voice was so soothing, it felt almost dreamlike

Examples of usage

  • The author created a hallucinatory world in his novel, where reality and fantasy intertwined.
  • The painting had a hallucinatory quality that transported viewers to another realm.

Translations

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Interesting Facts

Psychology

  • Hallucinatory experiences can be caused by various factors, including drugs, sleep deprivation, or mental health disorders.
  • Not everyone who experiences a hallucination has a mental illness; they can occur in highly stressful situations too.
  • Psychologists often study these experiences to better understand the human mind and perception of reality.

Pop Culture

  • Many artists have explored hallucinatory themes, such as Salvador Dalรญ, whose surreal paintings depict dream-like scenarios.
  • In music, bands like Pink Floyd have created albums that evoke hallucinatory experiences, like 'The Piper at the Gates of Dawn'.
  • Films like 'Inception' and 'Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas' delve into hallucinatory worlds, captivating viewers with their surreal plots.

Science

  • Research shows that hallucinations often occur when the brain misinterprets signals, creating a false perception of reality.
  • Studies have found that certain brain regions are more active during hallucinatory episodes, revealing insights into how we perceive our environments.
  • Virtual reality technology is used in experiments to induce and study hallucinatory experiences, helping to understand their mechanics.

Literature

  • Many classic novels feature hallucinatory elements, such as 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland', where Alice experiences bizarre visions.
  • In modern literature, authors like Haruki Murakami often incorporate surreal, hallucinatory experiences to illustrate deeper emotional truths.
  • The concept of altered states of reality is a common theme in magical realism, allowing writers to blend the real with the imagined.

Origin of 'hallucinatory'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Latin term 'hallucinari', which means 'to wander in the mind'.
  • It first appeared in English in the early 19th century, reflecting a growing interest in psychology.
  • The prefix 'halluc-' is related to phantoms or visions, giving insight into its meaning.

The word 'hallucinatory' is derived from the noun 'hallucination', which comes from the Latin word 'hallucinatio' meaning 'wandering of the mind'. The concept of hallucinations has been documented throughout history, with references found in ancient texts and cultural beliefs. The term gained prominence in the field of psychology in the 19th century with the study of altered states of consciousness and perception.

See also: hallucinate, hallucinating, hallucination, hallucinations.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #28,220, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.