Fantom
/ˈfæn.təm/noun
An archaic or variant spelling of “phantom,” meaning a ghostly apparition or illusion.
Did you know?The word ultimately comes from Greek phantasma, meaning an appearance or image, from phainein, “to show”—the same root behind “phenomenon” and “epiphany.”
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*bʰeh₂-
“To shine or appear”
Ancient Greek
Greek
phainein
“To show, bring to light, or make visible”
Ancient Greek
Greek
phantasma
“An appearance, image, or apparition”
Late Latin
Latin
phantasma
“A phantom, apparition, or deceptive image”
12th–13th Century
Old French
fantosme
“Ghost or apparition”
Middle English
English
fantom
“A ghostly appearance or illusion”
Modern English
English
fantom
“An archaic or variant spelling of “phantom””
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