illusion
/ɪˈl(j)uːʒ(ə)n/ noun C1- A distortion of sensory perception where real stimuli lead to a false or misleading impression of reality. · We saw what looked like a tiger among the trees, but it was an illusion caused by the shadows of the branches.· Using artificial additives, scientists can create the illusion of fruit flavours in food.
- A misapprehension; a belief in something that is in fact not true. · Jane has this illusion that John is in love with her.
- A magician’s trick.
- The state of being deceived or misled.
Plural illusions
From the library
Still, she felt her pulse, and finding it throb violently she remembered that the best method of dispelling such illusions was to drink, for a draught of the beverage prepared by the doctor to allay her fever seemed to cause a reaction of the brain, and for a short time she suffered less.
This time the illusion, or rather the reality, surpassed anything Valentine had before experienced; she began to believe herself really alive and awake, and the belief that her reason was this time not deceived made her shudder.
Finally ten months and a half had gone by and no favorable change had taken place, and Dantès began to fancy the inspector’s visit but a dream, an illusion of the brain.
Now this solitude was peopled with his thoughts, the night lighted up by his illusions, and the silence animated by his anticipations.
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