phantasm

(fan′taz′əm)

noun

a perception of something that has no physical reality; figment of the mind; esp., a specter, or ghost
also phantasma
a deceptive likeness
Philos. a mental impression of a real person or thing

Origin: ME fantasme < OFr < L phantasma < Gr < phantazein, to show < stem of phainein, to appear: see fantasy

Related Forms:

See phantasm in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

Something apparently seen but having no physical reality; a phantom or an apparition. Also called phantasma.
An illusory mental image. Also called phantasma.
In Platonic philosophy, objective reality as perceived and distorted by the five senses.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English fantasme

Origin: , from Old French

Origin: , from Latin phantasma

Origin: , from Greek

Origin: , from phantazein, to make visible

Origin: , from phantos, visible

Origin: , from phainein, to show; see bhā-¹ in Indo-European roots

Related Forms: