apparition

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For the apparition was a kind of symbol, made as it were expressly for their own phenomenology: it contained a moral meaning that harmonised precisely with all their philosophical ideas.

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Definitions (15)

Toggle American Heritage definitions American Heritage Dictionary (3)

  1. noun A ghostly figure; a specter.
  2. noun A sudden or unusual sight: "[The designer's] indoor-outdoor reversals and juxtapositions call forth a Magritte apparition beneath a Miami moon” (Herbert Muschamp).
  3. noun The act of appearing; appearance.

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Examples (50)

  • The language of the ancient Aryans of India had thrown out many names for that heavenly apparition, and every name, as it ceased to be understood, became, like a decaying seed, the germ of an abundant growth of mythe and legend. —  Chips From A German Workshop - Volume I Essays on the Science of Religion
  • And when the sentry on the plank that led to the boat had recovered from the shock of seeing the unexpected apparition, the man was seized and led before the Commissioner O, man," said Sanders, "who are you and where do you come from? —  Bones Being Further Adventures in Mr. Commissioner Sanders' Country
  • This must be investigated, so they circled round hesitatingly; the apparition might be a foe but still they must satisfy their curiosity and discover what it was of which they had had a moment’s glimpse and thus they approached nearer and ever nearer to my place of concealment Soon, however, I became aware of the fact that the antelope had unaccountably lost all thought of me and were deeply interested in something else which from their actions I concluded to be recognized as an enemy. —  The Black Wolf Pack
  • Previously to the time fixed for the apparition, the bullets were abstracted from these weapons, leaving them charged only with gunpowder. —  Chambers's Edinburgh Journal, No. 446 Volume 18, New Series, July 17, 1852
  • And he waited with impatience for the coming of night When night came he took his stand with Horatio, and Marcellus, one of the guard, upon the platform, where this apparition was accustomed to walk: and it being a cold night, and the air unusually raw and nipping, Hamlet and Horatio and their companion fell into some talk about the coldness of the night, which was suddenly broken off by Horatio announcing that the ghost was coming At the sight of his father's spirit, Hamlet was struck with a sudden surprise and fear. —  Tales from Shakespeare
 

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apparition:   apparitions
Roget's II: The New Thesaurus, Third Edition by the Editors of the American Heritage® Dictionary. Copyright © 2003, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Etymologies (2)

Toggle American Heritage etymologies American Heritage Dictionary (1)

  1. Middle English apparicioun, from Old French apparition, from Late Latin appāritiō, appāritiōn-, an appearance, from Latin appāritus, past participle of appārēre, to appear; see appear.

Toggle Century etymologies Century Dictionary (1)

  1. from French apparition, from Middle Latin apparitio(n-), an appearance, epiphany, also attendants, L. only in sense of attendance, attendants, from apparēre, adparēre, past participle apparitus, adparitus, appear, attend, wait upon, serve: see appear, apparent, and apparitor.
 

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/æpəˈrɪʃən/
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