Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Mesmerism \Mes"mer*ism\, n. [From Mesmer, who first brought it
   into notice at Vienna, about 1775: cf. F. mesm['e]risme.]
   The art of inducing an extraordinary or abnormal state of the
   nervous system, in which the actor claims to control the
   actions, and communicate directly with the mind, of the
   recipient. See {Animal magnetism}, under {Magnetism}.

Source : WordNet®

mesmerism
     n : the act of inducing hypnosis [syn: {hypnotism}, {suggestion}]