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Webster 1828 Edition

Specter

SPEC'TER

,
Noun.
[L. spectrum, from specto, to behold.]
1.
An apparition; the appearance of a person who is dead; a ghost. The ghosts of traitors from the bridge descend, With bold fanatic specters to rejoice.
2.
Something made preternaturally visible.
3.
In conchology, a species of voluta, marked with reddish broad bands.

Definition 2024

specter

specter

English

Alternative forms

Noun

specter ‎(plural specters)

  1. A ghostly apparition, a phantom
    A specter haunted the cemetery at the old Vasquez manor.
  2. (figuratively) A threatening mental image
    • Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, The Communist Manifesto
      A specter is haunting Europe — the specter of communism. All the powers of old Europe have entered into a holy alliance to exorcise this specter: Pope and Tsar, Metternich and Guizot, French Radicals and German police-spies.

Synonyms

  • See also Wikisaurus:ghost

Related terms

  • spectral
  • specter bat
  • specter candle
  • specter shrimp

Translations

Anagrams

Latin

Verb

specter

  1. first-person singular present passive subjunctive of spectō

Etymology

From French spectre, from Latin spectrum ‎(“appearance, apparition”).

Pronunciation

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