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phantasm

noun

/ˈfæn tæz əm/

IPA:

Dictionary definition of phantasm

A mental image or illusion that is created by the imagination or a product of perception that appears real but has no physical existence.
"John's phantasm seemed so real that he had trouble distinguishing it from actual memories."

Detailed meaning of phantasm

It often refers to a ghostly or supernatural apparition, typically associated with the realm of the unreal or the imaginary. Phantasms can manifest in various forms, such as vivid dreams, hallucinations, or fleeting glimpses of things that aren't actually present. They can be subjective experiences that arise from the mind's interpretation of sensory stimuli or emerge from the depths of the subconscious. Phantasms are often depicted as ethereal or ghostly entities, evoking a sense of mystery, intrigue, or even fear. They can be found in folklore, literature, and mythology, serving as symbolic representations of the intangible or unseen aspects of human experience. Phantasms blur the boundaries between reality and illusion, inviting contemplation on the nature of perception and the power of the human imagination.

Example sentences containing phantasm

1. In the mist, a faint phantasm appeared, blurring reality and illusion seamlessly.
2. A phantasm haunted my dreams, an eerie blend of memory and imagination.
3. She painted each phantasm vividly, capturing imagination's elusive whisper.
4. The moonlit night gave birth to a phantasm, eerie yet utterly mesmerising.
5. In the garden, amidst the fog, a silent phantasm danced, hauntingly beautiful.
6. The wizard conjured a phantasm, a visual enigma, ethereal and captivating.

History and etymology of phantasm

The noun 'phantasm' has its etymological roots in ancient Greek. It can be traced back to the Greek word 'phantasma,' which is derived from 'phaino,' meaning 'to appear' or 'to show.' In ancient Greek philosophy, particularly in the works of Plato and Aristotle, 'phantasma' referred to mental images or illusions created by the imagination or perception. These mental images often appeared real but had no physical existence, representing the conceptual or imaginative realm of the mind. As the word journeyed through Latin and into English, it retained its fundamental meaning, describing a product of perception or the imagination that appears tangible or real but lacks physical substance. Thus, the etymology of 'phantasm' reflects its ancient Greek origins and its enduring association with the realm of mental imagery and illusion.

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Further usage examples of phantasm

1. Every shadow, under the pale moonlight, turned into a sinister phantasm.
2. In his grief, every whisper of the wind morphed into a mournful phantasm.
3. In the old, abandoned mansion, a phantasm lurked in every dark corner.
4. Lost in thought, she was jolted awake by the touch of a cold phantasm.
5. Children’s tales of a benevolent phantasm were legends in our small village.
6. The phantasm's eerie silhouette, in the moon's glow, sent shivers down my spine.
7. Between sleep and wakefulness, I am often visited by a silent phantasm.
8. The detective's obsession with the unsolved case invoked a haunting phantasm.
9. The ancient scroll depicted a phantasm, an enigmatic entity of old legends.
10. In the dead of night, a phantasm whispered secrets of a forgotten past.
11. Every evening, as twilight fell, a phantasm danced upon the old walls.
12. A phantasm, born of fear and darkness, lurked in the depths of his mind.
13. Amidst the ruins, a phantasm weaved stories of a time long forgotten.
14. The phantasm, a ghost of the mind, whispered tales of a haunted soul.
15. The old mansion was rumored to be haunted by phantasms of the past.
16. Sarah woke up in the middle of the night, startled by a phantasm standing at the foot of her bed.
17. The horror movie was filled with terrifying phantasms that haunted the characters' nightmares.
18. The artist's painting depicted a surreal landscape inhabited by mystical phantasms.
19. As the fog rolled in, it gave the forest an eerie atmosphere, as if populated by phantasms.
20. The ancient legend spoke of phantasms that roamed the deserted castle at midnight.
21. The psychic claimed to communicate with phantasms from the spirit world.
22. The children giggled as they recounted stories of friendly phantasms they believed lived in the attic.
23. Alice couldn't sleep, convinced that phantasms lurked in the shadows of her room.
24. The magician's tricks created the illusion of phantasms appearing and disappearing at will.
25. The haunted house attraction was known for its realistic phantasms that made visitors scream in fright.