Fata Morgana

American  

[fah-tah mawr-gah-nah] / ˈfɑ tɑ mɔrˈgɑ nɑ /

noun

1. Meteorology. a mirage consisting of multiple images, as of cliffs and buildings, that are distorted and magnified to resemble elaborate castles, often seen near the Straits of Messina.

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Fata Morgana British  

/ ˈfɑːtə mɔːˈɡɑːnə, ˈfaːta mɔrˈɡaːna /

noun

1. a mirage, esp one in the Strait of Messina attributed to the sorcery of Morgan le Fay

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Etymology

Origin of Fata Morgana

1810–20; < Italian, translation of Morgan le Fay, associated in literature with magical castles

Example Sentences

Carlos Iturralde's "Fata Morgana" was a sonic mirage, with a trio of winds offstage mysteriously altering the sounds of violin, cello and bass on stage.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 13, 2015

On Thursday, he'll host a 7 p.m. screening of Werner Herzog's "Fata Morgana," a film that has inspired Glawogger's work.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 19, 2012

Fata Morgana is a linguistic tour de force set in the aftermath of 9/11 and is both celebrated and controversial.

From The Guardian • Mar. 18, 2011

Ernst Vajda will arive to see four of his plays presented, counting Fata Morgana which the Theatre Guild now has at the Garrick.

From Time Magazine Archive

The swans shook their heads, for what she beheld were the beautiful ever-changing cloud palaces of the "Fata Morgana," into which no mortal can enter.

From Fairy Tales of Hans Christian Andersen by Andersen, H. C. (Hans Christian)