Hypertext Webster Gateway: "apparition"

From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)

Apparition \Ap`pa*ri"tion\, n. [F. apparition, L. apparitio, fr.
apparere. See {Appear}.]
1. The act of becoming visible; appearance; visibility.
--Milton.

The sudden apparition of the Spaniards. --Prescott.

The apparition of Lawyer Clippurse occasioned much
speculation in that portion of the world. --Sir W.
Scott.

2. The thing appearing; a visible object; a form.

Which apparition, it seems, was you. --Tatler.

3. An unexpected, wonderful, or preternatural appearance; a
ghost; a specter; a phantom. ``The heavenly bands . . . a
glorious apparition.'' --Milton.

I think it is the weakness of mine eyes That shapes
this monstrous apparition. --Shak.

4. (Astron.) The first appearance of a star or other luminary
after having been invisible or obscured; -- opposed to
{occultation}.

{Circle of perpetual apparition}. See under {Circle}.

From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)

apparition
n 1: a ghostly appearing figure; "we were unprepared for the
apparition that confronted us" [syn: {phantom}, {specter},
{spectre}]
2: the appearance of a ghostlike figure; "I was recalled to the
present by the apparition of a frightening specter"
3: something existing in perception only: "a ghostly apparition
at midnight" [syn: {phantom}, {shadow}]
4: an act of appearing or becoming visible unexpectedly;
"natives were amazed at the apparition of this white
stanger"

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