wraith

[ reyth ]

noun

1. an apparition of a living person supposed to portend their death.
2. a visible spirit.

wraith

/ reɪθ /

noun

1. the apparition of a person living or thought to be alive, supposed to appear around the time of his death
2. a ghost or any apparition
3. an insubstantial copy of something
4. something pale, thin, and lacking in substance, such as a column of smoke

Derived Forms

• ˈwraithˌlike, adjective

Other Words From

• wraithlike adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of wraith¹

First recorded in 1505–15; originally Scots; origin uncertain

Word History and Origins

Origin of wraith¹

C16: Scottish, of unknown origin

Example Sentences

Eulálio ends up being an idol, a wraith who, at 150, is not quite dead and not quite living.

From The Daily Beast

The wraith-like coils that had left the mass above had straightened to sharp spear-heads of speed.

From Project Gutenberg

But I could smell the lilacs she had left, and the scent of them seemed like the wraith of her presence in the sunny room.

From Project Gutenberg

Like a little wraith miraculously tinted with bronze and blue she stopped and faced him piteously for a second.

From Project Gutenberg

Quite true, fair wraith; but you are not the only ghost at this dance to-night.

From Project Gutenberg

Moya faced them tensely, a slim wraith of a girl with dark eyes that blazed.

From Project Gutenberg