Gaslight

Alternative forms

• gas lamp US

Origin

gas + light. The verb sense derives from the 1938 stage play Gas Light, in which a husband attempts to convince his wife and others that she is insane by manipulating small elements of their environment.

Full definition of gaslight

Noun

1. (British) The light produced by burning piped illuminating gas.
2. (British) A lamp which operates by burning gas.

Verb

1. (slang) To manipulate someone psychologically such that they question their own sanity.