revenant

[ rev-uh-nuhnt ]

noun

1. a person who returns.
2. a person who returns as a spirit after death; ghost.
3. a corpse reanimated by a supernatural force; an undead being.

revenant

/ ˈrɛvɪnənt /

noun

1. something, esp a ghost, that returns

Word History and Origins

Origin of revenant¹

First recorded in 1820–30; from French: literally, “one returning from a long absence; ghost,” noun use of present participle of revenir “to return,” equivalent to re- “again” + ven(ir) “to come” + -ant present participle ending; re- -ant

Word History and Origins

Origin of revenant¹

C19: from French: ghost, from revenir to come back, from Latin revenīre , from re- + venīre to come

Example Sentences

Another revenant came back about that time, along the dimly blazed trails of fate.

From Project Gutenberg

The Jena was a remarkably fine and fast vessel, and, as the Revenant privateer, had formerly cruised long and very successfully.

From Project Gutenberg

Did I bestride a metempsychosized man-eater, a revenant from the bloody days of Nuka-hiva?

From Project Gutenberg

Now, when she thought of him at all, it was as of some revenant of kindly countenance from a half-forgotten dream.

From Project Gutenberg

Like that shadowy majesty of Denmark, our dramatic author was a "revenant."

From Project Gutenberg