phantasmagoria

• POS: Noun
• HYPHEN: phan=tas=ma=go=ri=a

CIDE DICTIONARY

phantasmagoria, n. [NL., from Gr. a phantasm + an assembly, fr. to gather: cf. F. phantasmagorie.].

•  An optical effect produced by a magic lantern. The figures are painted in transparent colors, and all the rest of the glass is opaque black. The screen is between the spectators and the instrument, and the figures are often made to appear as in motion, or to merge into one another.  [1913 Webster]
•  The apparatus by which such an effect is produced.  [1913 Webster]
•  Fig.: A medley of figures; illusive images.  Sir W. Scott.  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

phantasmagoria, n.
1 a shifting series of real or imaginary figures as seen in a dream.
2 an optical device for rapidly varying the size of images on a screen.

Derivative

phantasmagoric adj. phantasmagorical adj.

Etymology

prob. f. F fantasmagorie (as PHANTASM + fanciful ending)

THESAURUS

phantasmagoria

apparition, appearance, cosmorama, cyclorama, diorama, display, eidolon, exhibit, exhibition, exposition, fantasy, figure, form, georama, idolum, image, light show, myriorama, pageant, pageantry, panorama, parade, phantasm, phantasma, phantom, pomp, presence, presentation, psychedelic show, representation, shade, shadow, shape, shifting scene, show, sight, spectacle, specter, stage show, tableau, tableau vivant, vision, waking dream, wildest dream, wraith

ROGET THESAURUS

phantasmagoria

Appearance

N appearance, phenomenon, sight, spectacle, show, premonstration, scene, species, view, coup d'oeil, lookout, outlook, prospect, vista, perspective, bird's-eye view, scenery, landscape, picture, tableau, display, exposure, mise en sc ne, rising of the curtain, phantasm, phantom, pageant, spectacle, peep-show, raree-show, gallanty-show, ombres chinoises, magic lantern, phantasmagoria, dissolving views, biograph, cinematograph, moving pictures, panorama, diorama, cosmorama, georama, coup de theatre, jeu de theatre, pageantry, insignia, aspect, angle, phase, phasis, seeming, shape, guise, look, complexion, color, image, mien, air, cast, carriage, port, demeanor, presence, expression, first blush, face of the thing, point of view, light, lineament feature trait lines, outline, outside, contour, face, countenance, physiognomy, visage, phiz, cast of countenance, profile, tournure, cut of one s jib, metoposcopy, outside, apparent, seeming, ostensible, on view, apparently, to all seeming, to all appearance, ostensibly, seemingly, as it seems, on the face of it, prima facie, at the first blush, at first sight, in the eyes of, to the eye, editio princeps.