ENGLISH
REFERENCE

hypnosis

n. uncountable
B2 Upper Intermediate US //hɪpˈnoʊsəs// UK //hɪpnˈəʊsɪs// hyp·no·sis

n. a state like sleep where you are very relaxed and can be easily influenced by suggestions. It is often used by doctors to help people change their habits or manage pain.

n. an artificially induced trance state resembling sleep, characterised by heightened susceptibility to suggestion and deep relaxation. Often used in therapeutic contexts to access subconscious thoughts or modify behaviour.


SIMPLE

The therapist used hypnosis to help him stop smoking.

CONTEXTUAL

Under deep hypnosis, the patient was able to recall specific details about the event that she had previously forgotten.

COMPLEX

While popular media often portrays hypnosis as a tool for mind control, clinical practitioners use it as a legitimate psychological intervention to treat anxiety and chronic pain conditions.

Origin

From modern scholarly Ancient Greek ὕπνωσις (húpnōsis), which formation closes the derivational gap between the ancient words ὑπνόω (hupnóō, “I put to sleep”) and ὑπνωτικός (hupnōtikós, “sleep-inducing, soporific”). Ultimately traces back to ὕπνος (húpnos, “sleep”).

Usage

Often appears as the object of the verbs 'induce' or 'undergo'.

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