Something that captures attention completely and holds it like a spell; or relating to hypnosis or sleep.
From Greek 'hypnotikos' (causing sleep), from 'hypnos' (sleep). The term was adapted into English in the 19th century as hypnosis became studied as a medical phenomenon.
The ancient Greeks personified sleep as 'Hypnos,' and centuries later, we still use their word to describe anything that mesmerizes us—it's remarkable how the concept of being pulled under by sleep became the metaphor for any total loss of willpower.
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