Where does “phantom” come from?
Phantom comes from Middle English fantom, from Old French fantosme, from Latin phantasma, from Ancient Greek φάντασμα, derived from the verb φαντάζω meaning to make visible, ultimately from φαίνω meaning to show or appear.
phantom (English): A ghost or apparition; Something apparently seen,...
Definitions
- A ghost or apparition; Something apparently seen,...
Ancestry of “phantom”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Middle English | fantome | That which is ephemeral or transient; worldly as opposed to spiritual wealth |
| 2 | Old French | fantosme | ghost |
| 3 | Latin | phantasma | image, appearance; apparition, spectre, phantom |
| 4 | Ancient Greek | φάντασμα | phantom, apparition, ghost; vision, dream;... |
| 5 | Ancient Greek | φαντάζω | to show; to make visible; to place before one's... |
| 6 | Ancient Greek | φαίνω | I cause to appear, bring to light; I show,... |
| 7 | English | -type | impressed form; stamp; print; typical form; Used... |
| 8 | Ancient Greek | τύπος | A blow, pressing; The results of a blow: mark,... |
| 9 | Ancient Greek | τύπτω | to beat, strike, smite; to beat, strike oneself |
| 10 | Proto-Indo-European | (s)tewp- | to push, to stick |
| 11 | Proto-Indo-European | (s)tew- | to push, to hit |