mesmer: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low/RareFormal, Literary
Quick answer
What does “mesmer” mean?
To produce a state of intense fascination or absorption, similar to hypnosis.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To produce a state of intense fascination or absorption, similar to hypnosis; to captivate or hold spellbound.
To so dominate the attention of someone that they seem to lose the power to act independently; to fascinate or transfix completely, often in a metaphorical sense.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Extremely rare in both varieties. Slightly more likely to be encountered in British literary or historical texts, but overall usage is negligible.
Connotations
In both varieties, it implies an archaic or consciously erudite tone. May be used for deliberate stylistic effect to evoke a 19th-century or Gothic atmosphere.
Frequency
'Mesmerize' is the overwhelmingly dominant form. 'Mesmer' is a lexical curiosity.
Grammar
How to Use “mesmer” in a Sentence
[Subject] mesmer [Object] (e.g., The speaker mesmered the audience).Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “mesmer” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The veteran orator could still mesmer a hall with his sonorous voice.
- She was completely mesmered by the intricate clockwork mechanism.
American English
- The preacher's fervor managed to mesmer the entire congregation.
- He found himself mesmered by the flickering patterns of the fire.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Rare; might appear in historical or literary studies discussing Mesmerism.
Everyday
Not used.
Technical
Possible in historical psychology texts referencing Franz Mesmer's theories.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “mesmer”
- Using 'mesmer' in place of the common 'mesmerize' in everyday communication.
- Incorrect pronunciation (e.g., /ˈmiːzmər/).
- Assuming it is a standard, frequently used verb.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but it is extremely rare and considered a back-formation from 'mesmerize'. It is found primarily in literary or historical contexts and is not used in everyday modern English.
There is no difference in meaning. 'Mesmerize' is the standard, universally accepted verb. 'Mesmer' is a rare, shortened variant used for stylistic effect.
It is not recommended unless you are specifically discussing the word itself or writing in a deliberately archaic style. Always prefer 'mesmerize', 'captivate', or 'enthrall'.
It derives from the name of Franz Anton Mesmer (1734–1815), a German physician whose theories about 'animal magnetism' led to the development of hypnosis. The verb 'mesmerize' was formed first, with 'mesmer' appearing later as a back-formation.
To produce a state of intense fascination or absorption, similar to hypnosis.
Mesmer is usually formal, literary in register.
Mesmer: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmɛzmə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmɛzmər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None specific to this rare form.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of MESMER as a shortened form of 'MESMERize'. Just as a MESSENGER delivers a message, a MESMER delivers a spellbinding effect.
Conceptual Metaphor
ATTENTION IS A SPELL (The speaker cast a spell on the audience / The speaker mesmered the audience).
Practice
Quiz
'Mesmer' is best described as: