- specter
- specter (n.) c.1600, from Fr. spectre "an image, figure, ghost" (16c.), from L. spectrum "appearance, vision, apparition" (see SPECTRUM (Cf. spectrum)).
Etymology dictionary. 2014.
specter
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Specter — Spec ter, Spectre Spec tre, n. [F. spectre, fr. L. spectrum an appearance, image, specter, fr. specere to look. See {Spy}, and cf. {Spectrum}.] 1. Something preternaturally visible; an apparition; a ghost; a phantom. [1913 Webster] The ghosts of… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
specter — I noun apparition, appearance, eidolon, form, illusion, presence, revenant, shadow, shape, spirit, sprite II index phantom, reflection (image), spirit, vision ( … Law dictionary
specter — spirit, ghost, *apparition, phantasm, phantom, wraith, shade, revenant … New Dictionary of Synonyms
specter — [n] ghost apparition, appearance, demon, doppelganger, phantasm, phantom, poltergeist, presence, shadow, spirit, spook, vision; concept 370 … New thesaurus
specter — (Brit. spectre) ► NOUN 1) a ghost. 2) something unpleasant or dangerous that is imagined or expected. ORIGIN French, from Latin spectrum image, apparition … English terms dictionary
specter — [spek′tər] n. [Fr spectre < L spectrum, an appearance, apparition < spectare, to behold: see SPECTACLE] 1. a ghost; apparition 2. any object of fear or dreadBrit. sp.Brit. spectre … English World dictionary
specter — or spectre noun Etymology: French spectre, from Latin spectrum appearance, specter, from specere to look, look at more at spy Date: 1605 1. a visible disembodied spirit ; ghost 2. something that haunts or perturbs the mind ; phantasm < the… … New Collegiate Dictionary
specter — /spek teuhr/, n. 1. a visible incorporeal spirit, esp. one of a terrifying nature; ghost; phantom; apparition. 2. some object or source of terror or dread: the specter of disease or famine. Also, esp. Brit., spectre. [1595 1605; < L spectrum; see … Universalium
specter — spec|ter [ spektər ] noun count 1. ) the possibility of something unpleasant that might happen in the future: If they refused his request, they faced the specter of a lawsuit. 2. ) LITERARY a GHOST … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
specter — noun 1) the specters in the crypt Syn: ghost, phantom, apparition, spirit, wraith, shadow, presence; informal spook; literary phantasm, shade 2) the looming specter of war Syn: threat, menace, shadow … Thesaurus of popular words
