poltergeist

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“
In half an hour we were all sitting about the table in a dim light, while the sweet-voiced mother was talking with 'Charley,' her 'poltergeist' -- "

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Definitions (3)

Toggle American Heritage definitions American Heritage Dictionary (1)

  1. noun A ghost that manifests itself by noises, rappings, and the creation of disorder.

Toggle Century definitions Century Dictionary (1)

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Examples (50)

  • They were the only people living there while the poltergeist was active. —  When Last I Died - Gladys Mitchell - Bradley 13: 1941
  • And the first date I have for the poltergeist is January 12. —  When Last I Died - Gladys Mitchell - Bradley 13: 1941
  • As for the poltergeist phenomena, they also might be expected to reveal themselves similarly to two careful and experienced observers. —  When Last I Died - Gladys Mitchell - Bradley 13: 1941
  • The poltergeist was human There remained the minor problem of whether to tackle the sister, Miss Tessa, first, or whether to have what Mrs. Bradley described to Ferdinand as “another go” at the haunted house. —  When Last I Died - Gladys Mitchell - Bradley 13: 1941
  • I saw two little boys Materialization of the poltergeist, I should say. —  When Last I Died - Gladys Mitchell - Bradley 13: 1941
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Etymologies (2)

Toggle American Heritage etymologies American Heritage Dictionary (1)

  1. German : poltern, to make noises (from Middle High German boldern) + Geist, ghost (from Middle High German, from Old High German).

Toggle Century etymologies Century Dictionary (1)

  1. German, from poltern, rumble, rattle, clatter (earlier boldern, variant of bollern: see boulder, n.), + geist, spirit, = English ghost.
 

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/ˈpəltərgaɪst/
by American Heritage

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