from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Phantom \Phan"tom\, n. [OE. fantome, fantosme, fantesme, OF.
fant[^o]me, fr. L. phantasma, Gr. fa`ntasma, fr. fai`nein to
show. See {Fancy}, and cf. {Pha["e]ton}, {Phantasm},
{Phase}.]
That which has only an apparent existence; an apparition; a
specter; a phantasm; a sprite; an airy spirit; an ideal
image.
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Strange phantoms rising as the mists arise. --Pope.
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She was a phantom of delight. --Wordsworth.
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{Phantom ship}. See {Flying Dutchman}, under {Flying}.
{Phantom tumor} (Med.), a swelling, especially of the
abdomen, due to muscular spasm, accumulation of flatus,
etc., simulating an actual tumor in appearance, but
disappearing upon the administration of an an[ae]sthetic.
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