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phantasmagoria definitions

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WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

n
1: a constantly changing medley of real or imagined images (as in a dream)

Merriam Webster's

noun Etymology: French phantasmagorie, from phantasme phantasm (from Old French fantasme) + -agorie (perhaps from Greek agora assembly) — more at agora Date: circa 1802 1. an exhibition or display of optical effects and illusions 2. a. a constantly shifting complex succession of things seen or imagined b. a scene that constantly changes 3. a bizarre or fantastic combination, collection, or assemblage • phantasmagoric or phantasmagorical adjective

Oxford Reference Dictionary

n. 1 a shifting series of real or imaginary figures as seen in a dream. 2 an optical device for rapidly varying the size of images on a screen. Derivatives: phantasmagoric adj. phantasmagorical adj. Etymology: prob. f. F fantasmagorie (as PHANTASM + fanciful ending)

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Phantasmagoria Phan*tas`ma*go"ri*a, n. [NL., from Gr. ? a phantasm + ? an assembly, fr. ? to gather: cf. F. phantasmagorie.] 1. An optical effect produced by a magic lantern. The figures are painted in transparent colors, and all the rest of the glass is opaque black. The screen is between the spectators and the instrument, and the figures are often made to appear as in motion, or to merge into one another. 2. The apparatus by which such an effect is produced. 3. Fig.: A medley of figures; illusive images. ``This mental phantasmagoria.'' --Sir W. Scott.

Soule's Dictionary of English Synonyms

n. 1. Magic lantern, phantasmagory. 2. Illusive images, optical illusions.

Moby Thesaurus

apparition, appearance, cosmorama, cyclorama, diorama, display, eidolon, exhibit, exhibition, exposition, fantasy, figure, form, georama, idolum, image, light show, myriorama, pageant, pageantry, panorama, parade, phantasm, phantasma, phantom, pomp, presence, presentation, psychedelic show, representation, shade, shadow, shape, shifting scene, show, sight, spectacle, specter, stage show, tableau, tableau vivant, vision, waking dream, wildest dream, wraith