ILLUSION • FREE TRANSLATOR.ORG • Definition of Illusion

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/ɪlˈuʒən/ Listen

noun

Illusion n.

1.

An unreal image presented to the bodily or mental vision; a deceptive appearance; a false show; mockery; hallucination. "To cheat the eye with blear illusions."

2.

Hence: Anything agreeably fascinating and charming; enchantment; witchery; glamour. "Ye soft illusions, dear deceits, arise!"

3.

(Physiol.) 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. Note: Some modern writers distinguish between an illusion and hallucination, regarding the former as originating with some external object, and the latter as having no objective occasion whatever.

4.

A plain, delicate lace, usually of silk, used for veils, scarfs, dresses, etc.

Synonyms: Delusion; mockery; deception; chimera; fallacy. See Delusion. Illusion, Delusion. Illusion refers particularly to errors of the sense; delusion to false hopes or deceptions of the mind. An optical deception is an illusion; a false opinion is a delusion.

See images of 'Illusion'

Etymology of 'Illusion'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Illusion" Quotes from Famous Books

... pleasing astonishment beheld the effects of the volcano, so admirably adapted to the nature of these fires. At another entertainment he gratified the public with a representation of Orpheus and Eurydice in hell; many striking circumstances occasioned a marvellous illusion. What subjects indeed could be more analogous to this kind of fire? Such scenical fireworks display more brilliant effects than our ...

— Curiosities of Literature, Vol. II (of 3) - Edited, With Memoir And Notes, By His Son, The Earl Of Beaconsfield • Isaac D'Israeli

... however, any such hope may have been entertained, but few moons had filled and waned before the defiant occupation of her territory and the enrollment of her citizens as soldiers in the army of invasion must have dispelled the illusion. ...

— The Rise and Fall of the Confederate Government • Jefferson Davis

... you good-night at the window of your carriage after Del Ferice's dinner? You said that you were not angry with me. I was foolish enough to imagine that you were in earnest. I came again and again, but you would not see me. You did not encourage my illusion." ...

— Don Orsino • F. Marion Crawford

... must be sensible," continued Rosamond, "that I could not, by any effort of imagination, or by any illusion of love, convert a man of Mr. Gresham's time of life and appearance, with his wig, and sober kind of understanding, ...

— Tales and Novels, Vol. VII - Patronage • Maria Edgeworth

... state of the locality, he intended to leave it for the winter; and this probably being known to his enemies, they made an effort to destroy him before he got beyond their reach. He, at all events, seems to have been under the spell of no pleasing illusion as to the supposed tranquillity and the reign of order. On the contrary, he is alleged to have stated that more outrages than ever are committed, and that but for the deterrent force employed by the Government, there would be no living in the country, ... This is the opinion of ...

— The Reminiscences of an Irish Land Agent • S.M. Hussey

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