-ism, -ismus


A condition of lacking some parts.
1. The doctrine that objects of knowledge have no existence except in the mind of the perceiver.
2. The doctrine that human conduct reflects the operation of a nonmaterial principle.
3. Any psychological theory that accepts as a proper subject of study the mental basis for human behavior.
4. Parapsychological activities; such as, telepathy and mind reading.
5. The belief that some mental phenomena cannot be explained by physical laws.
1. Originally, a system of therapeutics propounded by Mesmer.

This term is named for the physician Franz (originally Friedrich) Anton Mesmer (1734-1815), who advocated his theory of animal magnetism or mesmerism. Mesmer stroked his patients first with magnets and later with his hands, believing he possessed animal magnetism. Mesmer's system of therapeutics was a forerunner of modern hypnotism.

An example from literature: "At first, when as a young man he began to dip into the secrets of mesmerism, his mind seemed to be wandering in a strange land where all was chaos and darkness, save that here and there some great unexplainable and disconnected fact loomed out in front of him." Arthur Conan Doyle, The Captain of the Polestar and other Tales, 1894, p. 84.

The existence of organic chemical structures that cannot be accurately represented by a single structural formula, the actual formula lying in the middle between several possible representations that differ only in the position of electrons.
1. A reference to one of the three classic somatotypes, or body types.

Typically speaking mesomorphism refers to people who have strength and an athletic build. They can develop and build [muscle] mass without much difficulty and can usually eat without too much fear of gaining weight.

2. Having physical form, structure, or size which is average, normal, or intermediate between extremes.
A situation in which there are many parts joined together.


Distention of the abdomen or intestines due to the presence of gas; tympanites.