Mesmerize

Mesmerize is a verb meaning to capture the complete attention of someone or to hypnotize them. The term derives from the name of Franz Anton Mesmer (1734–1815), a German-born physician who proposed the theory of animal magnetism and practiced what was called mesmerism. The related noun mesmerism referred to his ideas and methods, and the adjective mesmerized describes someone who has been impacted in this way.

Historically, Mesmer’s techniques involved passing his hands over patients and using magnets or metallic instruments in an attempt to manipulate a supposed magnetic fluid within the body. His claims attracted widespread attention in the late 18th century, but skepticism grew. In 1784 a French royal commission, chaired by scientists including Benjamin Franklin and Antoine Laurent de Lavoisier, concluded that animal magnetism did not exist and that observed effects were largely due to imagination, suggestion, or the authority of the practitioner. Although the specific theory was discredited, mesmerism contributed to the later development of hypnotism and the study of suggestion in psychology.

In contemporary English, mesmerize is most often used metaphorically to describe something that captivates or enchants an audience, such as a performance, speech, or work of art. It is not used as a medical claim about a physical magnetic fluid, though the historical concept remains a notable precursor to the field of hypnosis. The term persists in cultural and literary usage to denote powerful, spellbinding appeal.