hypnotically
UK[hɪpˈnɒt.ɪ.kəl.i]US[hɪpˈnɑː.t̬ɪ.kəl.i]
adv
in a manner that causes a state of focused attention, reduced peripheral awareness, and heightened suggestibility, often resembling sleep.
adv
in a manner that is fascinating or spellbinding.
Morpheme Breakdown
hypnot
ic
ally
hypnot
sleep
ic
adjective suffix
ally
adverb suffix
Etymology
the word's journey begins with the greek personification of sleep, hypnos, whose name derives from the proto-indo-European root supno-, also the source of the latin 'somnus' and english 'sleep'. the greek 'hypnotikos', meaning "inclined to sleep", entered scientific english in the 19th century to describe the trance state induced by mesmerism. the adjectival suffix '-ic' was attached directly to the greek stem, and the modern adverb form '-ally' completes the word, extending its meaning from inducing a sleeplike state to describing anything with a mesmerizing, compelling quality.
Analysis
Structure: hypnot (sleep) + ic (adjective suffix) + ally (adverb suffix)
- hypnot: from greek 'hypnos' (ὕπνος), meaning "sleep". functions as the core root.
- ic: from latin '-icus', greek '-ikos', a suffix forming adjectives meaning "of, pertaining to".
- ally: from latin '-aliter' via old french '-el', a suffix forming adverbs from adjectives.
Examples
the pendulum swung hypnotically back and forth before the subject's eyes.
the dancer moved hypnotically to the rhythmic drumming.
he spoke in a low, hypnotically soothing voice.