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animal magnetism
noun
1
: a mysterious force claimed by Mesmer to enable him to hypnotize patients
2
: a magnetic charm or appeal
especially
: sex appeal
Synonyms
Examples of animal magnetism in a Sentence
a photograph that captures the athlete's animal magnetism
Recent Examples on the Web
Other topics of his lectures over the years that followed included animal magnetism, hypnotism, and the ether.
—Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 12 Apr. 2024
And of course, Fox’s animal magnetism attracted the approval of the rocker.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 17 July 2023
Keoghan’s own animal magnetism is present onscreen, if only because his physicality is so refreshingly untamed.
—Matthew Jacobs, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Dec. 2022
Based on the widely popular theory of animal magnetism proposed by Franz Mesmer at the end of the 18th century, Allix claimed that snails are particularly well suited to communicate by a magnetism-like force through the ambient medium.
—Justin E. H. Smith, Wired, 3 Mar. 2022
In the eighteenth century, Franz Mesmer introduced his concept of mesmerism, or animal magnetism, involving a universal vital fluid that passes in and out through our pores.
—Nick Paumgarten, The New Yorker, 1 Nov. 2021
Your animal magnetism could be a big turn-on for a special someone this evening.
—Tribune Content Agency, oregonlive, 15 May 2021
The student need not believe that Noah existed, or that his animal magnetism was as great as is said, or how long-lived his children were.
—Luther Ray Abel, National Review, 17 Sep. 2020
The charismatic Sun moves into your sign today, enhancing your animal magnetism.
—Tarot Astrologers, chicagotribune.com, 22 Aug. 2020
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Word History
First Known Use
1781, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Dictionary Entries Near animal magnetism
Cite this Entry
“Animal magnetism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/animal%20magnetism. Accessed 24 Dec. 2024.
Medical Definition
animal magnetism
noun
: a spiritlike force alleged by the Austrian physician Franz Anton Mesmer (1734–1815) to reside within himself and to be active in his use of therapeutic hypnosis see mesmerism
More from Merriam-Webster on animal magnetism
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about animal magnetism
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