ghost etymology

Etymology:

• Old English gāst, ultimately derived from Proto-Germanic *gaistaz
• Cognate with Old Saxon gēst, Dutch geest, German Geist, Swedish gast, and Lithuanian *gaiszti

Meaning:

• In folklore, a disembodied spirit or soul of a deceased person
• A faint or shadowy image or appearance
• A trace or vestige of something that has passed
• A faint or elusive quality or characteristic

Origin:

The word "ghost" has its origins in the Proto-Germanic word gaistaz, which originally referred to the breath of life, the spirit, the soul, or the mind. In various Germanic languages, the word evolved to describe supernatural beings or apparitions, particularly the spirits of the dead.

Over time, the meaning of "ghost" in English became more specific, referring primarily to disembodied spirits or souls that are believed to linger after death. The word is often associated with the paranormal or supernatural, and is commonly used in literature, folklore, and popular culture to evoke feelings of mystery, fear, or intrigue.

ghost relate terms

• manes

  Etymology The word mane originates from the Old English word manu which means neck

• mature

  Etymology The word mature derives from the Latin word maturus meaning ripe full gr

• spirit

  Etymology The word spirit is derived from the Latin word spiritus which means breat

• conspire

  Etymology The word conspire comes from the Latin word conspirare which means to br

• expire

  Etymology From Latin expirāre to breathe out die frequentative of exspīrāre to

• inspire

  Etymology From Middle English insipyre from Anglo Norman French inspirer from Latin i

• ghost

  Etymology Old English gāst ultimately derived from Proto Germanic gaistaz Cognate wi

• spiritualism

  Etymology Spiritualism comes from the Latin words spiritus meaning breath or spiri

• soul

  Etymology The word soul traces its origins to the Proto Indo European root h₂enh₂

• aghast

  Etymology Middle English agast from Old English āgāstan to frighten Meaning S

• ghastly

  Etymology Old English gæstlic 10th century meaning terrible dreadful fearful Pr

• poltergeist

  Etymology Polter German noisy boisterous Geist German spirit ghost Meanin

• spook

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

• sprite

  Etymology The word sprite comes from the Middle English word spryt meaning spirit

• bogey

  Etymology Middle English bogie or bogle meaning a ghost or evil spirit Possibly

• larva

  Etymology The word larva derives from the Latin word larva meaning ghost or spec

• suggestion

  Etymology The word suggestion comes from the Latin word suggestio which means a whi

• haunt

  Etymology The word haunt comes from the Old French word hanter meaning to frequent

• travel

  Etymology The English word travel derives from the Old French word travailler which