apparition etymology

Etymology

The word "apparition" derives from the Latin "appārēre," meaning "to appear." It is closely related to the words "parent" (from "pārēre," meaning "to be born") and "parenthesis" (from "parenthései," meaning "interruption").

Meaning

• The appearance of something, especially a ghost or other supernatural entity.
• A brief or fleeting appearance or manifestation.

Origin

The concept of apparitions has been a part of human history for centuries. Early cultures believed that spirits of the dead could return to the world of the living, often in the form of apparitions. These beliefs were influenced by various factors, including:

• Animism: The belief that all things, including non-living objects, have a spirit or soul.
• Ancestor worship: The practice of venerating deceased ancestors, who were believed to watch over and protect the living.
• Fear of the unknown: The human tendency to attribute strange or unexplained phenomena to supernatural causes.

Apparitions have been reported in various forms, including:

• Ghosts: Spirits of the deceased who are said to haunt specific locations or objects.
• Apports: Objects that appear or disappear mysteriously, often associated with spiritualist activities.
• Poltergeists: Noisy or disruptive spirits that are believed to cause physical disturbances.
• Angels: Celestial beings who are said to have appeared to humans on Earth.
• UFOs: Unidentified flying objects that have been interpreted as apparitions of extraterrestrial beings.

While many people believe in the existence of apparitions, there is no scientific evidence to support their existence. The study of apparitions remains a controversial field, with varying degrees of skepticism and acceptance among researchers and the public.

apparition relate terms

• appear

  Etymology The word appear comes from the Latin verb apparere meaning to become visi

• appearance

  Etymology Appearance Middle English apparaunce from Anglo French apperance from Lati

• appear

  Etymology The word appear comes from the Latin verb apparere meaning to become visi

• save

  Etymology Old French sauve Latin salvus whole safe Meaning To protect or

• phantom

  Meaning A phantom etymology is an incorrect or fanciful explanation of the origin of a w

• phantasm

  Etymology The word phantasm is derived from the Greek word phantasma meaning an appe

• shadow

  Etymology Old English sceadu from Proto Germanic skadwa meaning darkness shade

• spectrum

  Etymology The word spectrum comes from the Latin word spectrum which means appariti

• fetch

  Etymology The word fetch comes from the Middle English word fetchen which in turn is

• spook

  Etymology The word spook has its origins in the Dutch word spook meaning ghost or

• idol

  Etymology The word idol originates from the Greek word eidōlon meaning image or

• semblance

  Etymology Middle English semblaunce from Anglo Norman French semblance from Old Fren

• respect

  Etymology The word respect derives from the Latin word respectus meaning a lookin

• scepter

  Etymology The word scepter derives from the Old French word sceptre which in turn c