Category:Phantom

Phan"tom, n. Etym: [oe. fantome, fantosme, fantesme, of. fantôme, fr. L. phantasma, gr. Fancy, and cf. Phaëton, phantasm, phase.]

Defn: that which has only an apparent existence; an apparition; a Specter; a phantasm; a sprite; an airy spirit; an ideal image. Strange phantoms rising as the mists arise. Pope. She was a phantom of delight. Wordsworth. 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 Anæsthetic.