Phantasm
/ˈfæn.tæz.əm/noun
A ghostly apparition or a figment of the imagination.
Did you know?The word 'phantasm' is rooted in the Greek concept of 'phantasma', which refers to a spectral presence or an illusion, linking it to ancient beliefs in spirits and the afterlife.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
φάντασμα (phantasma)
“A visible appearance, an apparition, or a ghost.”
Late Latin
Latin
phantasma
“An apparition or a phantom, often tied to the spirit world.”
Middle English
Middle English
fantasm
“An illusion or specter, reflecting medieval beliefs in the supernatural.”
Modern English
English
phantasm
“A term for ghostly images or visions, emphasizing its connection to imagination and the supernatural.”