Emily Dickinson Lexicon

TRANCE, n. [tràns; Fr. transe; supposed to be from the L. transitus, a passing over; transeo, to pass over; trans and eo. The L. trans seems to be the W. tra, It. tra and tras, Sp. tras, and Fr. tres, very; so that it may be inferred that n is not radical.]

1. An ecstacy; a state in which the soul seems to have passed out of the body into celestial regions, or to be rapt into visions. My soul was ravish'd quite as in a trance. Spenser. When they made ready, he fell into a trance, and saw heaven opened. Acts x.
2. In medicine, catalepsy, i. e. total suspension of mental power, and voluntary motion; pulsation and breathing continuing; muscles flexible; body yielding to, and retaining any given position, not incompatible with the laws of gravitation. Trance or catalepsy, differs from ecstacy, in the circumstance that in the latter the muscles are rigid; and the body erect and inflexible. Good.