from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Wraith \Wraith\, n. [Scot. wraith, warth; probably originally, a
guardian angel, from Icel. v["o]r[eth]r a warden, guardian,
akin to E. ward. See {Ward} a guard.]
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1. An apparition of a person in his exact likeness, seen
before death, or a little after; hence, an apparition; a
specter; a vision; an unreal image. [Scot.]
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She was uncertain if it were the gypsy or her
wraith. --Sir W.
Scott.
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O, hollow wraith of dying fame. --Tennyson.
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2. Sometimes, improperly, a spirit thought to preside over
the waters; -- called also {water wraith}. --M. G. Lewis.
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