Fata Morgana

[ Italian fah-tah mawr-gah-nah ]

noun

1. Meteorology. a mirage consisting of multiple images, as of cliffs and buildings, that are distorted and magnified to resemble elaborate castles, often seen near the Straits of Messina.

Fata Morgana

/ ˈfɑːtə mɔːˈɡɑːnə; ˈfaːta mɔrˈɡaːna /

noun

1. a mirage, esp one in the Strait of Messina attributed to the sorcery of Morgan le Fay

Word History and Origins

Origin of Fata Morgana¹

1810–20; < Italian, translation of Morgan le Fay, associated in literature with magical castles

Word History and Origins

Origin of Fata Morgana¹

C19: from Italian: Morgan le Fay

Example Sentences

But Nature, as if to take away the reproach of permitting such a vast blotch on her fair face, kindly threw in Fata Morgana.

From Project Gutenberg

This "Fata Morgana" was not merely interesting in itself, but also gave reason to indulge in the hope of a favourable wind.

From Project Gutenberg

If there is any truth at all in the legend, the island must be ascribed to the Fata Morgana.

From Project Gutenberg

In the early morning; it was quite calm, but gray, and we witnessed a kind of Fata Morgana.

From Project Gutenberg

From time to time the Fata Morgana exhibits her juggleries, but we are accustomed to it now, and nobody is deceived thereby.

From Project Gutenberg