brainwash
verbEtymology From brain + wash, a calque of Chinese 洗腦 /洗脑 (xǐnǎo), literally to wash the brain. Usage via U.S. military during the Korean War.
1
Human sciences, Psychology, Sciences To affect one's mind by using extreme mental pressure or any other mind-affecting process. (e.g. hypnosis)
2
Dated, Figuratively To take from an electronically controlled machine its stored-up information; to erase a computer's programming. (1960)
3
To persuade completely and forcibly.
- The news media brainwashed many people.
- Derived terms
- brainwashable, brainwashedness, brainwashee, brainwasher, brainwashy, unbrainwash