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il·lu·sion  (ĭ-lzhən)
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Tweet n. 1. a. An erroneous perception of reality: Mirrors gave the illusion of spaciousness. b. An erroneous concept or belief: The notion that money can buy happiness is an illusion. 2. The condition of being deceived by a false perception or belief: spent months flailing about in illusion. 3. Something that is erroneously perceived or construed: The animal in the shadows turned out to be an illusion. 4. A fine transparent net fabric, used for dresses or trimmings. [Middle English illusioun, from Old French, from Late Latin illūsiō, illūsiōn-, from Latin, a mocking, irony, from illūsus, past participle of illūdere, to mock : in-, against; see IN-2 + lūdere, to play; see leid- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] il·lusion·al, il·lusion·ar′y (-zhə-nĕr′ē) adj. il·lusion·less adj.  (click for a larger image) illusiontop: straight horizontal rules appear curved bottom: a gray box against a black background appears lighter than the same gray box against a white background |
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