apparition

Word Origin & History

c.1500, "unclosing" (of Heaven), from Anglo-French aparicion, Old French apparition, aparoison (15c.), used in reference to the Epiphany (revealing of Christ child to the Wise Men), from Late Latin apparitionem (nominative apparitio) "an appearance," also "attendants," in classical Latin "service, servants," noun of action from past participle stem of apparere "appear" (see appear). Meaning "ghost" first recorded c.1600; the shade of sense differentiation between appearance and apparition is that the latter tends to be unexpected or startling.

Example Sentences for apparition

Hewson appreciated this as soon as he realized that he had been confronted with an apparition.

She had not spoken to him since he had told the story of his apparition.

In his reticence he had the sense of atoning not only to the apparition but to Miss Hernshaw too.

I call it an apparition, because that's the shortest way out.

Back to the locked gate—with perhaps the apparition following him?

Guess, my Olivia, what apparition I met at the door of my box to-night.

The crew held their breaths as if the apparition might vanish as suddenly as it appeared.

Li Dsing was much frightened, and thought it was an apparition.

The shepherd was watching his sheep when the apparition rose, as it were, from the ground.

From past experience we have learned that your apparition means mischief.

apparition

fantasy

ghost

ghosts

hallucination

ignis fatuus

illusion

illusions

optical illusion

apparition

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