Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Apparition
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
That shapes this monstrous
apparition
. Shakespeare
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
.Webster 1828 Edition
Apparition
APPARI'TION
,Noun.
1.
In a general sense, an appearance; visibility. [Little used.]2.
The thing appearing; a visible object; a form.3.
A ghost; a specter; a visible spirit. [This is now the usual sense of the word.]4.
Mere appearance, opposed to reality.