Specter vs. Phantom

Specternoun

A ghostly apparition, a phantom.

‘A specter haunted the cemetery at the old Vasquez manor.’;

Phantomnoun

Something apparently seen, heard, or sensed, but having no physical reality; a ghost or apparition; something elusive or delusive.

Specternoun

(figuratively) A threatening mental image.

Phantomnoun

An image that appears only in the mind; an illusion.

Specternoun

Something preternaturally visible; an apparition; a ghost; a phantom.

‘The ghosts of traitors from the bridge descend,With bold fanatic specters to rejoice.’;

Phantomnoun

(duplicate bridge) A placeholder for a pair of players when there are an odd number of pairs playing.

Specternoun

The tarsius.

Phantomnoun

(medical imaging) A test object.

Specternoun

a mental representation of some haunting experience;

‘he looked like he had seen a ghost’; ‘it aroused specters from his past’;

Phantomadjective

Illusive.

Specternoun

a ghostly appearing figure;

‘we were unprepared for the apparition that confronted us’;

Phantomadjective

Fictitious or nonexistent.

‘a phantom limb’;

Phantomnoun

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.’; ‘She was a phantom of delight.’;

Phantomadjective

Being, or of the nature of, a phantom.

‘Phantom isles are floating in the skies.’;

Phantomnoun

a ghostly appearing figure;

‘we were unprepared for the apparition that confronted us’;

Phantomnoun

something existing in perception only;

‘a ghostly apparition at midnight’;

Phantomadjective

something apparently sensed but having no physical reality;

‘seemed to hear faint phantom bells’; ‘the amputee's illusion of a phantom limb’;