fantasmagoria
Shifting illusory visions
Fantasmagoria is a shifting sequence of dreamlike, often disturbing images—the kind that might appear in fever dreams or hallucinatory states.
The word comes from an 18th-century magic lantern show that projected ghostly figures onto smoke.
Now it describes any phantasmagoric spectacle or bewildering series of illusions: The carnival was a fantasmagoria of lights and sound.
Also spelled phantasmagoria.
Visible supernatural manifestation
- specterGhostly threatening presence
- wraithSpectral apparition of someone
- ghostApparition of the dead
- revenantReturned from death
eidolon · shade · banshee · poltergeist · haunting · ethereal · incorporeal · manifestation
Dreamlike and strange
- hallucinatorySeeming falsely perceived
- illusoryFalsely appearing to exist
- chimeraUnrealistic fantasy or hybrid
- mirageAtmospheric optical deception
dreamscape · unreality · phantasy · fever dream · delirium · trance · oneiric · otherworldly
Lavish, elaborate entertainment
- pageantryElaborate ceremonial display
- spectacleVisually striking event
- carnivalTraveling amusement attraction
- magic lanternOil-lit painted slide projector
projection · shadow play · stagecraft · cabaret · burlesque · vaudeville · tableau · diorama
Fascinated by death grotesquely
- morbidUnhealthily drawn to darkness
- sepulchralRelating to burial chambers
- gruesomeCausing horror and disgust
- gothicDark, mysterious aesthetic
cryptic · haunted · cadaverous · sinister · grim · diabolic · eerie · dreadful
Light-dispersing, multicolored
- psychedelicInducing altered perception
- shiftingChanging position or form
- swirlingTurning in curves
- morphingSeamless visual transformation process
iridescent · chromatic · dazzling · luminous · holographic · opalescent · fractal · hypnotic
apparition
Visible supernatural manifestation
revenant · eidolon · shade · banshee · poltergeist · haunting · ethereal · incorporeal · manifestation · spook
surreal
Dreamlike and strange
- hallucinatorySeeming falsely perceived
- illusoryFalsely appearing to exist
- chimeraUnrealistic fantasy or hybrid
mirage · dreamscape · unreality · phantasy · fever dream · delirium · trance · oneiric · otherworldly · disorienting
extravaganza
Lavish, elaborate entertainment
- pageantryElaborate ceremonial display
- spectacleVisually striking event
- carnivalTraveling amusement attraction
magic lantern · projection · shadow play · stagecraft · cabaret · burlesque · vaudeville · tableau · diorama · performance
ghoulish
Fascinated by death grotesquely
- morbidUnhealthily drawn to darkness
- sepulchralRelating to burial chambers
- gruesomeCausing horror and disgust
gothic · cryptic · haunted · cadaverous · sinister · grim · diabolic · eerie · dreadful · chilling
prismatic
Light-dispersing, multicolored
- psychedelicInducing altered perception
- shiftingChanging position or form
- swirlingTurning in curves
morphing · iridescent · chromatic · dazzling · luminous · holographic · opalescent · fractal · hypnotic · mesmerizing
fantasmagoriastability
Resistance to displacement
constancy · steadiness · fixity · stillness · equilibrium
fantasmagoriareality
What actually exists
actuality · truth · substance · waking life · hard facts
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