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Webster 1913 Edition

Mirage

Miˊrage′

,
Noun.
[F., fr.
mirer
to look at carefully, to aim,
se mirer
to look at one’s self in a glass, to reflect, to be reflected, LL.
mirare
to look at. See
Mirror
.]
An optical effect, sometimes seen on the ocean, but more frequently in deserts, due to total reflection of light at the surface common to two strata of air differently heated. The reflected image is seen, commonly in an inverted position, while the real object may or may not be in sight. When the surface is horizontal, and below the eye, the appearance is that of a sheet of water in which the object is seen reflected; when the reflecting surface is above the eye, the image is seen projected against the sky. The
fata Morgana
and
looming
are species of
mirage
.
By the
mirage
uplifted the land floats vague in the ether,
Ships and the shadows of ships hang in the motionless air.
Longfellow.

Definition 2024

mirage

mirage

English

Noun

mirage ‎(plural mirages)

  1. An optical phenomenon in which light is refracted through a layer of hot air close to the ground, giving the appearance of there being refuge in the distance.
  2. (figuratively) An illusion.

Translations

See also

Verb

mirage ‎(third-person singular simple present mirages, present participle miraging, simple past and past participle miraged)

  1. (transitive) To cause to appear as or like a mirage.
    • 1915, E. Phillips Oppenheim, Mr. Grex of Monte Carlo:
      All that had been in his mind seemed suddenly miraged before him—the removal of Hunterleys, his own wife's failing health.
    • 1901, A. E. W. Mason, Ensign Knightley and Other Stories:
      The vision of a salon was miraged before her, with herself in the middle deftly manipulating the destinies of a nation.

Anagrams

French

Etymology

mirer +‎ -age.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /mi.ʁaʒ/

Noun

mirage m ‎(plural mirages)

  1. mirage

Anagrams

Etymology

Borrowing from French mirage

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /mɪˈrɑːʒ/
  • Rhymes: -ɑːʒ

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