Main Entry: il·lu·sion

Pronunciation: \i-ˈlü-zhən\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin illusion-, illusio, from Latin, action of mocking, from illudere to mock at, from in- + ludere to play, mock — more at ludicrous

Date: 14th century

1 a obsolete : the action of deceiving b (1) : the state or fact of being intellectually deceived or misled : misapprehension (2) : an instance of such deception
2 a (1) : a misleading image presented to the vision (2) : something that deceives or misleads intellectually b (1) : perception of something objectively existing in such a way as to cause misinterpretation of its actual nature (2) : hallucination 1 (3) : a pattern capable of reversible perspective
3 : a fine plain transparent bobbinet or tulle usually made of silk and used for veils, trimmings, and dresses

synonyms see delusion

— il·lu·sion·al \-ˈlüzh-nəl, -ˈlü-zhə-n^əl\ adjective

[illusion illustration]