make the passes
verb1
To perform a hypnotic technique involving running the hands over the head and body of the subject.
- […] he did not stop to think, but hastened to make the ‘passes’ as the technical phrase styles certain unmeaning motions of the hands and arms.1837, anonymous author, Means Without Living, Boston: Weeks, Jordan & Co., pages 37–38:
- Every man and woman, it appears, may magnetize; but the number susceptible of the magnetic influence is much more limited. Every one may make the “passes;” but some mysterious or unexplained condition is necessary in order to imbibe the mysterious fluid. One patient will go into magnetic sleep in a minute or two; another will resist for hours […]1838 July, “Animal Magnetism”, in Tait’s Edinburgh Magazine, volume 5, number 55, page 460:
2 more examples
- 1901, Henry Abbey, “Veera” in Phaëthon, with three other stories in verse and a prose contention, Kingston, NY: Styles & Kiersted, p. 62, Her story done, the maiden begg’d of me To set out for my kingdom, with the dawn. “Not yet,” said I, “not yet,” and then I made The passes with my hands and fix’d my will To sway her will, till, with a questioning glance, She fell into a calm, Mesmeric sleep.
- At six, Dr Andrew came to the Raja’s room and, after a little cheerful talk, began to make the passes. In a few minutes the patient was in deep trance.1962, Aldous Huxley, chapter 8, in Island, London: Chatto & Windus, page 126:
- Related terms
- make a pass