hallucinate

 
Pronunciation: /həˈluːsɪneɪt/

verb

[no object]
  • experience a seemingly real perception of something not actually present, typically as a result of a mental disorder or of taking drugs: Ben began hallucinating and having fits
  • [with object] experience a hallucination of (something): I don’t care if they’re hallucinating purple snakes [with clause]: he starts hallucinating that he is Jesus

Derivatives

hallucinant

adjective & noun

hallucinator

noun

Origin:

mid 17th century (in the sense 'be deceived, have illusions'): from Latin hallucinat- 'gone astray in thought', from the verb hallucinari, from Greek alussein 'be uneasy or distraught'

Spelling help

Spell hallucinate and the related word hallucination with a double l.