brainwash
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English
Etymology
brain + wash, calque of Chinese 洗腦／洗脑 (xǐnǎo), literally "to wash the brain". Usage via U.S. military during Korean War.
Pronunciation
Noun
brainwash (plural brainwashes)
- A distorting effect upon one's memory, belief, or ideas, as by propaganda.
Translations
effect upon one's memory, belief or ideas — see brain-washing
Verb
brainwash (third-person singular simple present brainwashes, present participle brainwashing, simple past and past participle brainwashed)
- (psychology) To affect one's mind by using extreme mental pressure or any other mind-affecting process. (e.g. hypnosis)
- (figuratively, dated) To take from an electronically controlled machine its stored-up information; to erase a computer's programming. (1960)
- To persuade completely and forcibly.
- The news media brainwashed many people.
Derived terms
Translations
to affect one's mind
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