Troxler effect

proper noun

An optical illusion whereby, when a person fixes the gaze on a particular point, an unchanging stimulus away from the fixation point appears to fade away and disappear.

Meanings

proper nounthe Troxler effect
  1. An optical illusion whereby, when a person fixes the gaze on a particular point, an unchanging stimulus away from the fixation point appears to fade away and disappear.

    Synonyms: Troxler fading, Troxler's fading

Synonyms & antonyms

proper nounAn optical illusion whereby, when a person fixes the gaze on a particular point, an unchanging stimulus away from the fixation point appears to fade away and disappear.

Origin

First identified by Swiss physician Ignaz Paul Vital Troxler in 1804.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

Troxler effect. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Troxler%20effect

MLA

“Troxler effect.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Troxler%20effect. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “Troxler effect,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Troxler%20effect.

Source: Troxler effect on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.