Poltergeist
/ˈpɒltəɡaɪst/noun
A supposed ghost or spirit that causes physical disturbances such as knocking, moving objects, or making loud noises.
Did you know?The second half, Geist, is historically related to English ghost and to words describing terror, including aghast and ghastly.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*gʰeys-
“To be agitated, stirred, or terrified; a proposed ancient root behind the Germanic words for spirit and ghost.”
Proto-Germanic
Germanic
*gaistaz
“Spirit, ghost, or supernatural being.”
Old English
Old English
gāst
“Ghost, spirit, or apparition.”
18th Century
German
Poltergeist
“Literally a “noisy spirit,” formed from poltern, “to make a rattling or knocking noise,” and Geist, “spirit.””
19th Century
English
poltergeist
“An alleged troublesome or noisy ghost; the German term entered English usage in the mid-1800s.”
Modern English
English
poltergeist
“A supposed spirit associated with unexplained noises, object movement, and other physical disturbances.”