phantasm

[ fan-taz-uhm ]

noun

1. an apparition or specter.

   Synonyms: vision, ghost

2. a creation of the imagination or fancy; fantasy.
3. a mental image or representation of a real object.
4. an illusory likeness of something.

   Synonyms: illusion, hallucination

phantasm

/ ˈfæntæzəm /

noun

1. a phantom
2. an illusory perception of an object, person, etc
3. (in the philosophy of Plato) objective reality as distorted by perception

Derived Forms

• phanˈtasmal, adjective
• phanˈtasmally, adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of phantasm¹

First recorded in 1175–1225; from Latin phantasma, from Greek phántasma “image, vision” (akin to phantázein “to bring before the mind”); replacing Middle English fantesme, from Old French, from Latin as above

Word History and Origins

Origin of phantasm¹

C13: from Old French fantasme, from Latin phantasma, from Greek; related to Greek phantazein to cause to be seen, from phainein to show

Synonym Study

See apparition.

Example Sentences

A phantasm is that which, not being a true counterpart of reality, is yet so like it as to be mistaken for reality.

From Project Gutenberg

His eyes stared wonderingly at the grotesque face like a lingering phantasm of fevered dreams.

From Project Gutenberg

Was all this nothing,—a dream, a splendid phantasm, to be rent away like a crimson cloud?

From Project Gutenberg

His desire to be with her was the desire to escape the phantasm of the woman haunting to subjugate him when they were separate.

From Project Gutenberg

At times faith grows faint, and I think it all a delusion—a phantasm—a dream.

From Project Gutenberg