mesmerism Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun the act of inducing hypnosis
    suggestion; hypnotism.

WordNet

Mes"mer*ism noun
Etymology
From Mesmer, who first brought it into notice at Vienna, about 1775: cf. F. mesmérisme.
Definitions
  1. The art of inducing an extraordinary or abnormal state of the nervous system, in which the actor claims to control the actions, and communicate directly with the mind, of the recipient. See Animal magnetism, under Magnetism.

Webster 1913