Hypnotizing Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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hypnotizing
[ˈhɪpnəˌtaɪzɪŋ ]
Definition
state of mind
Hypnotizing refers to something that captivates or fascinates a person to the extent that they feel entranced or under a spell. This term is often used to describe performances, movements, or visual stimuli that are so engaging that they draw one's full attention. It implies a loss of control over one's focus as if one is being led into a state of hypnosis. The hypnotizing effect can be both positive and negative, depending on the context. Often, it can lead to a state of relaxation or intense concentration.
Synonyms
captivating, enthralling, mesmerizing, spellbinding.
Examples of usage
- The magician's hypnotizing tricks left the audience in awe.
- The hypnotizing quality of her voice made everyone listen carefully.
- The mesmerizing dance was truly hypnotizing.
- The artwork had a hypnotizing effect on the viewers.
Translations
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Interesting Facts
Psychology
- Hypnosis can be used for therapeutic purposes, helping people manage pain, anxiety, and even habits like smoking.
- When a person is hypnotized, they may enter a trance-like state where their awareness of the surroundings diminishes.
- Research shows that not everyone is equally susceptible to hypnosis; about 10-15% of people are highly responsive.
Pop Culture
- Hypnotism frequently appears in movies and books, often depicted as a magic trick that brings people under someone's control.
- Magician Harry Houdini famously debunked many myths around the practice, emphasizing its psychological rather than magical nature.
- Television shows often use hypnosis as a storytelling device to illustrate mind control or altered realities.
Science
- Neurological studies indicate that hypnosis alters brain activity, particularly in areas related to perception and pain.
- Functional MRI scans show specific brain patterns in individuals under hypnosis, suggesting unique mental states.
- The placebo effect is often enhanced during hypnosis, as the mind can significantly influence bodily functions.
History
- Hypnotism has roots in ancient cultures, where shamans used trance-like states for healing rituals.
- In the late 18th century, Franz Anton Mesmer became famous for his theories that linked hypnosis to the flow of 'animal magnetism'.
- By the 20th century, scientists like Sigmund Freud explored hypnosis as a method for accessing the subconscious mind.
Origin of 'hypnotizing'
Main points about word origin
- The term comes from the Greek word 'hypnos', meaning sleep, which shows its connection to sleepiness.
- The word 'hypnosis' was first coined in the 1840s by Scottish surgeon James Braid, who studied its effects.
- The practice was originally viewed with skepticism, as it straddles the line between sleep and consciousness.
The term 'hypnotizing' derives from the word 'hypnosis', which has its roots in the Greek word 'hypnos', meaning 'sleep'. The concept of hypnosis as a psychological state was popularized in the 18th century by Franz Mesmer, who believed in the existence of 'animal magnetism'. His ideas led to the development of various techniques meant to induce a trance-like state. Over time, the practice evolved, and 'hypnosis' became a formal area of study in psychology. The adjective 'hypnotizing' likely emerged in the late 19th to early 20th centuries as people began to describe various phenomena or experiences that seemed to mesmerize or entrain individuals. Today, the term is commonly used in both psychological contexts and in everyday language to describe anything that captivates the mind.