mirage
mirage
Definition
mi·rage (mi räz̸h′)
noun
- an optical illusion in which the image of a distant object, as a ship or an oasis, is made to appear nearby, floating in air, inverted, etc.: it is caused by the refraction of light rays from the object through layers of air having different densities as the result of unequal temperature distributions
- something that falsely appears to be real
Etymology: Fr < (se) mirer, to be reflected < VL mirare, to look at, for L mirari: see miracle
mirage
Synonyms
mirage
n.
mirage
Usage Examples
Converse of object
- see: The effect is not dissimilar to the mirage seen above a hot road surface.
- create: Mirages also created confusion as land and other objects appeared to be distant aircraft carriers or enemy ships.
- shimmer: Traversing the Grand Barra Depression, , I watched endless shimmering mirages.
- chase: Living in debt, chasing mirages, and serving the nafs, renders the human being a definitive failure.
- remain: The El Dorado promised by communism remained a mirage until the whole edifice collapsed like the proverbial house of cards.
- cause: Another curious effect, and rather absurd mistake, resulted from the different densities in the super-heated atmosphere which caused this mirage.
Adjective modifier
- inferior: Inferior mirages are produced by warm air at the ocean or earth's surface and an air temperature gradient changing rapidly with height.
- cruel: Recovery, however, proved to be a cruel mirage; George suffered a sudden sharp relapse which killed him.
- mock: The conditions are closest to those of a mock mirage which can also produce a green flash.
- tropical: D&G and tropical sights - a tropical mirage of ' double delights ' !
Modifies a noun
- hotel: Open on the mirage rio hotel players can be used scene for another.
- bellagio: Dozens of online mirage resorts bellagio yet he tried paris museum national.
- Rio: Open on the mirage rio hotel players can be used scene for another.
- resort: Dozens of online mirage resorts bellagio yet he tried paris museum national.
- effect: These inversions occur when layers of warm air overlay cooler air, creating a mirage effect.
- event: Posted for quot the wpt elite the mirage event.
Noun used with modifier
- mgm: Parts near the off multiple cycles his mother's with mgm mirage which.
Preposition: in
- desert: This is why people see mirages in a desert.
Preposition: of
- desert: Twice, in the course of four hours, we were so fortunate as to see a mirage of the desert.
Browse dictionary entries near mirage
- mirador
- miraculous
- miracle play
- miracle drug
- miracle
- mirabile dictu
- mirabelle
- Mirabeau
- Miró
- mir
- Miranda
- Miranda rule
- mire
- mirex
- Miriam
- miriness
- mirk
- mirliton
- mirror
- mirror image
