spectre etymology

Etymology:

  • Late Middle English (denoting a ghostly apparition): from Old French espectre (ghost), from Latin spectrum (apparition, vision), from Greek spektron (phantom, ghost). Originally used in the 14th century to refer to a wide range of ghostly manifestations, including ghosts, phantoms, and apparitions.

Meaning:

  1. A ghost or apparition.
  2. A person who is perceived as being pale and sickly, especially as a literary or artistic figure.
  3. (figuratively) A person or thing that is haunting or oppressive.

Origin:

The word "spectre" originates from the Greek word "spektron," which means "visible form" or "phantom." It entered the English language through the French word "espectre," which was first used in the 14th century. The word originally referred to a wide range of ghostly manifestations, but over time it came to be more specifically associated with ghosts and apparitions.

spectre relate terms

  • specter

    Etymology and Origin of Specter The word specter derives from the Latin word spectru

  • spectrum

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

  • spectral

    Etymology The word spectral originates from the Latin word spectrum meaning an appa

  • spectre

    Etymology Late Middle English denoting a ghostly apparition from Old French espectre

  • spectrum

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

  • ogre

    Etymology The word ogre is derived from the Latin word orcus which means underworl

  • acre

    Etymology The word acre derives from Old English æcer which is cognate with the Pr

  • ghost

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

  • shade

    Etymology Old English sceadu shadow shade Proto Germanic skadu Proto Indo Europe

  • spook

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

  • 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

  • phantom

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

  • Hades

    Etymology The name Hades derives from the Greek word Haides which originally meant th

  • 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

  • spirit

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