poltergeist

[pohl-ter-gahyst]

noun

1. a ghost or spirit supposed to manifest its presence by noises, knockings, etc.

poltergeist

/ ˈpɒltəˌɡaɪst /

noun

1. a spirit believed to manifest its presence by rappings and other noises and also by acts of mischief, such as throwing furniture about

Word History and Origins

Origin of poltergeist¹

1840–50; < German Poltergeist, equivalent to polter ( n ) to make noise, knock, rattle + Geist ghost

Word History and Origins

Origin of poltergeist¹

C19: from German, from poltern to be noisy + Geist _ghost

Example Sentences

On a more intimate scale, Gemma and Cady’s new Bay Area rental is a smart house where everything is a potential poltergeist, from the ice dispenser to the vacuum.

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In some scenes, the spirit is a poltergeist nuisance, spilling glasses and knocking down shelves; in others, it’s confoundingly trapped behind some sort of plasma screen.

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He said he also dealt with reports of poltergeist activity, which is the belief held by some people that a spirit or force can move furniture or throw objects around a house.

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Andrew Lloyd Webber has said he once called on a priest to help remove a poltergeist from his London home.

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Here are a few insulation options of which your poltergeists will surely approve.

Read more on Seattle Times