1. apparition(n = noun.person) fantasm, phantasm, phantasma, phantom, specter, spectre - a ghostly appearing figure; "we were unprepared for the apparition that confronted us"
is a kind of disembodied spirit, spirit
has particulars: flying dutchman
2. apparition(n = noun.event) Array - the appearance of a ghostlike figure; "I was recalled to the present by the apparition of a frightening specter"
is a kind of appearance
3. apparition(n = noun.cognition) fantasm, phantasm, phantasma, phantom, shadow - something existing in perception only; "a ghostly apparition at midnight"
is a kind of illusion, semblance
has particulars: flying saucer, ufo, unidentified flying object, flying dutchman, ghost, shade, specter, spectre, spook, wraith
4. apparition(n = noun.act) Array - an act of appearing or becoming visible unexpectedly; "natives were amazed at the apparition of this white stranger"
is a kind of appearance
Derived forms verb appear2, verb appear5
1. The act of becoming visible; appearance; visibility. Milton. [1913 Webster]
"The sudden apparition of the Spaniards." [1913 Webster]
"The apparition of Lawyer Clippurse occasioned much speculation in that portion of the world." [1913 Webster]
2. The thing appearing; a visible object; a form. [1913 Webster]
"Which apparition, it seems, was you." [1913 Webster]
3. An unexpected, wonderful, or preternatural appearance; a ghost; a specter; a phantom. Milton. [1913 Webster]
"I think it is the weakness of mine eyes
That shapes this monstrous apparition." [1913 Webster]
4. The first appearance of a star or other luminary after having been invisible or obscured; -- opposed to
apparition, n. a sudden or dramatic appearance, esp. of a ghost or phantom; a visible ghost.
Etymology:
ME f. F apparition or f. L apparitio attendance (as APPEAR)
N demon, daemon, demonry, demonology, evil genius, fiend, familiar, daeva, devil, bad spirit, unclean spirit, cacodemon, incubus, Eblis, shaitan, succubus, succuba, Frankenstein's monster, Titan, Shedim, Mephistopheles, Asmodeus, Moloch, Belial, Ahriman, fury, harpy, Friar Rush, vampire, ghoul, afreet, barghest, Loki, ogre, ogress, gnome, gin, jinn, imp, deev, lamia, bogie, bogeyman, bogle, nis, kobold, flibbertigibbet, fairy, brownie, pixy, elf, dwarf, urchin, Puck, Robin Goodfellow, leprechaun, Cluricaune, troll, dwerger, sprite, ouphe, bad fairy, nix, nixie, pigwidgeon, will-o'-the wisp, ghost, revenant, specter, apparition, spirit, shade, shadow, vision, hobglobin, goblin, orc, wraith, spook, boggart, banshee, loup-garou, lemures, evil eye, merman, mermaid, merfolk, siren, satyr, faun, manito, manitou, manitu, possession, demonic possession, diabolic possession, insanity, Maxwell's demon, demoniac, demonic, demonical, impish, demoniacal, fiendish, fiend-like, supernatural, weird, uncanny, unearthly, spectral, ghostly, ghost-like, elfin, elvin, elfish, elflike, haunted, pokerish, possessed, possessed by a devil, possessed by a demon, demonically.
N dimsightedness, dim sight, dull sight half sight, short sight, near sight, long sight, double sight, astigmatic sight, failing sight, dimsightedness, purblindness, lippitude, myopia, presbyopia, confusion of vision, astigmatism, color blindness, chromato pseudo blepsis, Daltonism, nyctalopia, strabismus, strabism, squint, blearedness, day blindness, hemeralopia, nystagmus, xanthocyanopia, xanthopsia, cast in the eye, swivel eye, goggle-eyes, obliquity of vision, winking, nictitation, blinkard, albino, dizziness, swimming, scotomy, cataract, ophthalmia, blinker, screen, deceptio visus, refraction, distortion, illusion, false light, anamorphosis, virtual image, spectrum, mirage, looming, phasma, phantasm, phantasma, phantom, vision, specter, apparition, ghost, ignis fatuus, specter of the Brocken, magic mirror, magic lantern, mirror lens, dim-sighted, myopic, presbyopic, astigmatic, moon-eyed, mope-eyed, blear-eyed, goggle-eyed, gooseberry-eyed, one-eyed, blind of one eye, monoculous, half-blind, purblind, cock-eyed, dim-eyed, mole- eyed, dichroic, blind as a bat, winking.