APPARITION

apparition

(noun) an act of appearing or becoming visible unexpectedly; “natives were amazed at the apparition of this white stranger”

apparition, phantom, phantasm, phantasma, fantasm, shadow

(noun) something existing in perception only; “a ghostly apparition at midnight”

apparition

(noun) the appearance of a ghostlike figure; “I was recalled to the present by the apparition of a frightening specter”

apparition, phantom, phantasm, phantasma, fantasm, specter, spectre

(noun) a ghostly appearing figure; “we were unprepared for the apparition that confronted us”

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

apparition (plural apparitions)

An act of becoming visible; appearance; visibility.

The thing appearing; a visible object; a form.

An unexpected, wonderful, or preternatural appearance; especially something such as a ghost or phantom.

(astronomy) The first appearance of a star or other luminary after having been invisible or obscured; opposed to occultation.

(astronomy) A period of consecutive days or nights when a particular celestial body may be observed, beginning with the heliacal rising of the body and ending with its heliacal setting.

Synonyms

• (act of becoming visible): appearance

• (a preternatural appearance): vision

• See also ghost

Source: Wiktionary

Ap`pa*ri"tion, n. Etym: [F. apparition, L. apparitio, fr. apparere. See Appear.]

1. The act of becoming visible; appearance; visibility. Milton. The sudden apparition of the Spaniards. Prescott. The apparition of Lawyer Clippurse occasioned much speculation in that portion of the world. Sir W. Scott.

2. The thing appearing; a visible object; a form. Which apparition, it seems, was you. Tatler.

3. An unexpected, wonderful, or preternatural appearance; a ghost; a specter; a phantom. "The heavenly bands . . . a glorious apparition." Milton. I think it is the weakness of mine eyes That shapes this monstrous apparition. Shak.

4. (Astron.)

Definition: The first appearance of a star or other luminary after having been invisible or obscured; -- opposed to occultation. Circle of perpetual apparition. See under Circle.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition