phantasmagoria

The word is a modern formation, coined in the late 18th century from the Greek-derived elements 'phantasm' and the suffix '-agoria', modeled on the Greek agora (assembly). It was originally the name for a popular form of horror theatre using a magic lantern to project rapidly changing, spectral images onto smoke or walls, creating a ghostly procession. The literal sense of "a gathering of phantoms" perfectly captures the logic of the experience. Over time, the term evolved from this specific theatrical spectacle to describe any dreamlike, constantly shifting, and fantastical series of images or events, thus abstracting the core idea of a bewildering parade of illusions.

Structure: phantasm (illusion) + agoria (gathering) - phantasm: From Greek phantasma (image, phantom, apparition). Functions as the core root denoting an illusory appearance. - agoria: From Greek agora (a public assembly, gathering place). Functions as a suffix in this formation, implying a collection or display.