phantasmagoria

noun

phan·tas·ma·go·ria (ˌ)fan-ˌtaz-mə-ˈgȯr-ē-ə How to pronounce phantasmagoria (audio)

: an exhibition of optical effects and illusions

: a constantly shifting complex succession of things seen or imagined

: a scene that constantly changes

: a bizarre or fantastic combination, collection, or assemblage

phantasmagoric

(ˌ)fan-ˌtaz-mə-ˈgȯr-ik How to pronounce phantasmagoria (audio)

-ˈgär-

adjective

or phantasmagorical

(ˌ)fan-ˌtaz-mə-ˈgȯr-i-kəl How to pronounce phantasmagoria (audio)

-ˈgär-

Example Sentences

He saw a phantasmagoria of shadowy creatures through the fog.

Recent Examples on the Web Alas, Harper also has the misfortune of anchoring the latest cinematic phantasmagoria from Alex Garland, a writer and director who likes to play sinister mind games with characters and audiences alike.

Justin Changfilm Critic, Los Angeles Times, 19 May 2022 The stories, ethnographic in perspective but Gogolian in register, gravitate toward inexplicable disappearances, repressed memories, and phantasmagoria.

The New Yorker, 28 Mar. 2022 The collection seemed at times like a visual phantasmagoria, dipping in and out of different times periods as the house itself looks back to its heritage and forward to the future.

Thomas Adamson, USA TODAY, 6 Oct. 2021 Previously adapted for the big screen in a confounding and ill-fated 1984 David Lynch phantasmagoria, Dune has, over the decades, become one of those rare fanboy and -girl properties that's begged for another go-round.

Christian Holub, EW.com, 3 Sep. 2021 The pair's many collaborations include the '90s TV show The Kingdom, a bizarre phantasmagoria set at a Danish hospital.

Clark Collis, EW.com, 29 July 2021 Subbing in a new melody concocted with moody synths and '80s drum beats, the track transforms itself into an avant-pop phantasmagoria that blends perfectly with Mike Hadreas' otherworldly vocals.

Stephen Daw, Billboard, 15 Jan. 2021 Saving not just time but effort is key to forward momentum in the industrial phantasmagoria that is, at this moment, blasting circus music into my ears.

Aaron Gilbreath, Longreads, 10 Aug. 2020 Saving not just time but effort is key to forward momentum in the industrial phantasmagoria that is, at this moment, blasting circus music into my ears.

Aaron Gilbreath, Longreads, 10 Aug. 2020 See More

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French phantasmogorie (later fantasmagorie) "theatrical show using magic lanterns in a darkened performance space to suggest supernatural phenomena," from fantasme phantasm + -ogorie, -agorie, of uncertain origin

Note: The French word was used by the magician Paul Phylidor (†1829, of uncertain nationality), apparently first in an announcement of a performance in the Parisian journal Affiches, annonces et avis divers for December 16, 1792. The performance is discussed slightly earlier under the heading "Phantasmogorie" in a letter by one "A.L.M.", in an issue of the Magasin encyclopédique for December 3, 1792 (pp. 17-19). The final element -agorie has been variously explained; perhaps the most plausible suggestion is that it was split off from allégorie allegory. In a handbill for a performance in Vienna in March, 1790, Phylidor uses the presumably plural form phantasmorasi: "… wird der Physikus Phylidor seine Darstellungen der sogenannten Phantasmorasi, oder natürlicher Geister Erscheinungen … einem hohen und unschätzbaren Publikum die Ehre haben zu zeigen" ("… the physician Phylidor will have the honor to exhibit his representations of the so-called Phantasmorasi, or natural spirit phenomena, to a high and inestimable public"). The relation of this earlier word to phantasmogorie is unclear. (The handbill is preserved in the Vienna City Library.)

First Known Use

circa 1802, in the meaning defined at sense 1

单词	phantasmagoria
释义	phantasmagoria noun phan·tas·ma·go·ria (ˌ)fan-ˌtaz-mə-ˈgȯr-ē-ə 1 : an exhibition of optical effects and illusions 2 a : a constantly shifting complex succession of things seen or imagined b : a scene that constantly changes 3 : a bizarre or fantastic combination, collection, or assemblage phantasmagoric (ˌ)fan-ˌtaz-mə-ˈgȯr-ik -ˈgär- adjective or phantasmagorical (ˌ)fan-ˌtaz-mə-ˈgȯr-i-kəl -ˈgär- Example Sentences He saw a phantasmagoria of shadowy creatures through the fog. Recent Examples on the Web Alas, Harper also has the misfortune of anchoring the latest cinematic phantasmagoria from Alex Garland, a writer and director who likes to play sinister mind games with characters and audiences alike. Justin Changfilm Critic, Los Angeles Times, 19 May 2022 The stories, ethnographic in perspective but Gogolian in register, gravitate toward inexplicable disappearances, repressed memories, and phantasmagoria. The New Yorker, 28 Mar. 2022 The collection seemed at times like a visual phantasmagoria, dipping in and out of different times periods as the house itself looks back to its heritage and forward to the future. Thomas Adamson, USA TODAY, 6 Oct. 2021 Previously adapted for the big screen in a confounding and ill-fated 1984 David Lynch phantasmagoria, Dune has, over the decades, become one of those rare fanboy and -girl properties that's begged for another go-round. Christian Holub, EW.com, 3 Sep. 2021 The pair's many collaborations include the '90s TV show The Kingdom, a bizarre phantasmagoria set at a Danish hospital. Clark Collis, EW.com, 29 July 2021 Subbing in a new melody concocted with moody synths and '80s drum beats, the track transforms itself into an avant-pop phantasmagoria that blends perfectly with Mike Hadreas' otherworldly vocals. Stephen Daw, Billboard, 15 Jan. 2021 Saving not just time but effort is key to forward momentum in the industrial phantasmagoria that is, at this moment, blasting circus music into my ears. Aaron Gilbreath, Longreads, 10 Aug. 2020 Saving not just time but effort is key to forward momentum in the industrial phantasmagoria that is, at this moment, blasting circus music into my ears. Aaron Gilbreath, Longreads, 10 Aug. 2020 See More Word History Etymology borrowed from French phantasmogorie (later fantasmagorie) "theatrical show using magic lanterns in a darkened performance space to suggest supernatural phenomena," from fantasme phantasm + -ogorie, -agorie, of uncertain origin Note: The French word was used by the magician Paul Phylidor (†1829, of uncertain nationality), apparently first in an announcement of a performance in the Parisian journal Affiches, annonces et avis divers for December 16, 1792. The performance is discussed slightly earlier under the heading "Phantasmogorie" in a letter by one "A.L.M.", in an issue of the Magasin encyclopédique for December 3, 1792 (pp. 17-19). The final element -agorie has been variously explained; perhaps the most plausible suggestion is that it was split off from allégorie allegory. In a handbill for a performance in Vienna in March, 1790, Phylidor uses the presumably plural form phantasmorasi: "… wird der Physikus Phylidor seine Darstellungen der sogenannten Phantasmorasi, oder natürlicher Geister Erscheinungen … einem hohen und unschätzbaren Publikum die Ehre haben zu zeigen" ("… the physician Phylidor will have the honor to exhibit his representations of the so-called Phantasmorasi, or natural spirit phenomena, to a high and inestimable public"). The relation of this earlier word to phantasmogorie is unclear. (The handbill is preserved in the Vienna City Library.) First Known Use circa 1802, in the meaning defined at sense 1 phantasmagoria noun as in kaleidoscope Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance kaleidoscope miscellanea trove treasure trove assortment mixed bag treasure library omnium-gatherum repertory collection assemblage repertoire supply arsenal stockpile hoard cache accumulation stock assembly store reserve gathering Antonyms & Near Antonyms ragbag jumble pile heap clutter litter bric-a-brac See More
随便看	biestings BIF biface bifacer bifaces bifacest bifacial bifacially bifanged Bifara bifarious bifariously bifenthrin biff biffed biffies biffin biffing biffins biffs biffy bifid bifidder bifiddest bifider