English edit

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Etymology edit

From French phantasmagorie, from Ancient Greek φάντασμα (phántasma, ghost) + possibly either ἀγορά (agorá, assembly, gathering) + the suffix -ia or ἀγορεύω (agoreúō, to speak publicly).

Pronunciation edit

Noun edit

phantasmagoria (plural phantasmagorias)

  1. (historical) A popular 18th- and 19th-century form of theatre entertainment whereby ghostly apparitions are formed.
    Synonym: magic lantern
  2. A series of events involving rapid changes in light intensity and colour.
  3. A dreamlike state where real and imagined elements are blurred together.

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