illusion

il·lu·sion

noun \i-ˈlü-zhən\

Definition of ILLUSION

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

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

Examples of ILLUSION

1. The video game is designed to give the illusion that you are in control of an airplane.
2. They used paint to create the illusion of metal.
3. She says that all progress is just an illusion.

Illustration of ILLUSION

Origin of ILLUSION

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

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to ILLUSION

Synonyms

chimera, conceit, daydream, delusion, dream, fancy, figment, hallucination, fantasy, nonentity, phantasm (also fantasm), pipe dream, unreality, vision

Antonyms

truth, verity

Related Words

ignis fatuus, mirage, will-o'-the-wisp; brainchild, idea; concoction, fable, fabrication, fiction, invention; envisaging, imaging, visualization; cloud-cuckoo-land, cloudland, Shangri-la, utopia; daymare, nightmare

Near Antonyms

actuality, fact, reality

See Synonym Discussion at delusion

Other Psychology Terms

fetish, hypochondria, intelligence, mania, narcissism, neurosis, pathological, psychosis, schadenfreude, subliminal

Rhymes with ILLUSION

affusion, allusion, Carthusian, collusion, conclusion, confusion, contusion, delusion, diffusion, effusion, elusion, exclusion, extrusion, inclusion, infusion, intrusion, Malthusian, obtrusion, occlusion, perfusion, prelusion, profusion, prolusion, protrusion, reclusion, seclusion, transfusion, Venusian

il·lu·sion

noun \il-ˈü-zhən\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of ILLUSION

1

: a misleading image presented as a visual stimulus

2

a : perception of something objectively existing in such a way as to cause misinterpretation of its actual nature; especially : optical illusion—compare delusion 2 b : hallucination 1 c : a pattern capable of reversible perspective

—il·lu·sion·al \-ˈüzh-nəl, -ən-^əl\ (audio pronunciation) adjective