Illusion
[ɪ'l(j)uːʒ(ə)n] or [ɪ'luʒn]
Definition
(noun.) something many people believe that is false; 'they have the illusion that I am very wealthy'.
(noun.) an erroneous mental representation.
Edited by Ian--From WordNet
Definition
(n.) An unreal image presented to the bodily or mental vision; a deceptive appearance; a false show; mockery; hallucination.
(n.) Hence: Anything agreeably fascinating and charning; enchantment; witchery; glamour.
(n.) A sensation originated by some external object, but so modified as in any way to lead to an erroneous perception; as when the rolling of a wagon is mistaken for thunder.
(n.) A plain, delicate lace, usually of silk, used for veils, scarfs, dresses, etc.
Checked by Lilith
Synonyms and Synonymous
n. Delusion, hallucination, deception, error, fallacy, mockery, fantasy, phantasm, chimera, false show.
Checker: McDonald
Synonyms and Antonyms
SYN:Dream, mockery, deception, delusion, hallucination, phantasm, vision, myth,false_show, error, fallacy
ANT:Fora, reality, body, substance
Inputed by Hannibal
Definition
n. a playing upon: a mocking: deceptive appearance: false show: error.—n. Illū′sionist one who is subject to illusions: one who produces illusions as sleight-of-hand tricks for entertainment.—adjs. Illū′sive Illū′sory deceiving by false appearances: false.—adv. Illū′sively.—n. Illū′siveness.
Checked by Kathy
Examples
- Thirdly, Account for that propensity, which this illusion gives, to unite these broken appearances by a continued existence. David Hume. A Treatise of Human Nature.
- This illusion, which created so much sensation in London and first known here as Pepper’s Ghost, I will endeavor to explain, and make the working of it as clear as I possibly can to the reader. William K. David. Secrets of Wise Men, Chemists and Great Physicians.
- Hence it will be obvious that these toys produced merely an ILLUSION of THEORETICAL motion. Frank Lewis Dyer. Edison, His Life and Inventions.
- I think it a case of spectral illusion: I fear, following on and resulting from long-continued mental conflict. Charlotte Bronte. Villette.
- She wants petty, immediate POWER, she wants the illusion that she is a great woman, that is all. D. H. Lawrence. Women in Love .
- The drug gave her a momentary illusion of complete renewal, from which she drew strength to take up her daily work. Edith Wharton. The House of Mirth.
- Celia was present while the plans were being examined, and observed Sir James's illusion. George Eliot. Middlemarch.
- But this proceeds merely from an illusion of the imagination; and the question is, how far we ought to yield to these illusions. David Hume. A Treatise of Human Nature.
- I could have been--but this nasty Lady W---- destroys half my illusion. Harriette Wilson. The Memoirs of Harriette Wilson.
- The discovery gave her an immediate illusion of activity: it was exhilarating to think that she had actually a reason for hurrying home. Edith Wharton. The House of Mirth.
- There is no difficulty in seeing that this is an illusion; for there is no more error or variation in an individual man, horse, bed, etc. Plato. The Republic.
- But isn't it really an illusion to think you can get out of it? D. H. Lawrence. Women in Love .
- The illusion was rendered more perfect by the excellence of the painting, and by the sensitive condition of the eye in the darkness of the surrounding chamber. Frederick C. Bakewell. Great Facts.
- But he, with a perfect stoicism, did without any before and after, dispensed with all illusion. D. H. Lawrence. Women in Love .
- I tell you again, Mr. Holmes, that you are under some absurd illusion. Arthur Conan Doyle. The Return of Sherlock Holmes.
- Surely, I would say, all men do not wear those shocking nightcaps; else all women's illusions had been destroyed on the first night of their marriage! Harriette Wilson. The Memoirs of Harriette Wilson.
- If she were sickly she would have her illusions, imaginations. D. H. Lawrence. Women in Love .
- Falsehoods and illusions ascend to take their place; the prodigal goes back into the country of the Lotophagi or drones, and openly dwells there. Plato. The Republic.
- Yet there were some illusions under Mary's eyes which were not quite comic to her. George Eliot. Middlemarch.
- Refraction is the source of many illusions; bent rays of light make objects appear where they really are not. Bertha M. Clark. General Science.
- What illusions I put in thee and how they have turned out! Hemingway, Ernest. For Whom The Bell Tolls.
- All France might worship him, but she had no illusions. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- You must not get illusions about it now. Hemingway, Ernest. For Whom The Bell Tolls.
- But this proceeds merely from an illusion of the imagination; and the question is, how far we ought to yield to these illusions. David Hume. A Treatise of Human Nature.
- Miss Farish's heart was a fountain of tender illusions, Miss Stepney's a precise register of facts as manifested in their relation to herself. Edith Wharton. The House of Mirth.
- He will pass through all its illusions, half believe in them, wholly enjoy them, then outlive them. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- Turning as from a fallen idol, she made other discoveries which rapidly dispelled her romantic illusions. Louisa May Alcott. Little Women.
- The simple illusions of her girlhood are gone, and my hand has stripped them off. Wilkie Collins. The Woman in White.
- He would only want her to be herself--he knew her verily, with a subconscious, sinister knowledge, devoid of illusions and hopes. D. H. Lawrence. Women in Love .
- I wonder you have time for such illusions, occupied as your mind must be. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
Typed by Lesley