(ˌfæntæzməˈɡɔːrɪə) or phantasmagory (fænˈtæzməɡərɪ)
noun
1. psychology
a shifting medley of real or imagined figures, as in a dream
2. cinema
a sequence of pictures made to vary in size rapidly while remaining in focus
3. rare
a shifting scene composed of different elements
Derived forms
phantasmagoric (ˌfæntæzməˈɡɒrɪk), phantasmagorical (ˌphantasmaˈgorical) or phantasmagorial (ˌphantasmaˈgorial)
adjective
phantasmagorically (ˌphantasmaˈgorically)
adverb
Word origin
C19: probably from French fantasmagorie production of phantasms, from phantasm + -agorie, perhaps from Greek ageirein to gather together
phantasmagoria in American English
(fænˌtæzməˈgɔriə)
Word forms: pluralphanˈtasmaˌgories
noun
1.
an early type of magic-lantern show consisting of various optical illusions in which objects rapidly change size, blend into one another, etc.
2.
a rapidly changing series of things seen or imagined, as the figures or events of a dream
3.
any rapidly changing scene
Also phanˈtasmaˌgoryWord forms: pluralphanˈtasmaˌgories
Derived forms
phantasmagorial (phanˌtasmaˈgorial)
adjective or phanˌtasmaˈgoric or phanˌtasmaˈgorical
Word origin
Fr fantasmagorie < Gr phantasma, phantasm + agoreuein, to speak in public < ageirein, to assemble (see gregarious): prob. infl. by Fr allegorie, allegory