phasm

P3H4A1S1M3
/ˈfæzəm/

noun

An apparition; a phantom.

OriginLatin phasma ← Ancient Greek φάσμα →
Scrabble 12
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Meanings

nounphasm (plural phasms or phasma)

plural phasms · plural phasma · alternative phasma

  1. obsoleteAn apparition; a phantom.

    After a small space the lights‥extinguish, and‥the Phasma having assumed a bodily shape or other false representation accompanies her.

    1677, Sir Thomas Herbert, Some Yeares Travels into Africa and Asia the Great
    1 more example

    For heart is besides that from thence proceed many aerial fictions , and not from God, phasms, and chimeras , created by the vanity of our own hearts

    1654, H[enry] Hammond, Of Fundamentals in a Notion Referring to Practise, London: […] J[ames] Flesher for Richard Royston, […], →OCLC

Origin

  1. Ancient Greekφάσμα
  2. Latinphasma
  3. Englishphasm

From Latin phasma or Ancient Greek φάσμα (phásma). See phase.

More words from Latin, Ancient Greek

Full word history & related roots →

Rhymes & wordplay

Rhymes with phasm

orgasmchasmspasmplasmeargasm-gasmpsychoplasmrasmsissygasm
All rhymes →

Anagrams

ShamppashmHamps
Cite this entry
APA

phasm. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/phasm

MLA

“phasm.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/phasm. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “phasm,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/phasm.

Source: phasm on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.