Brocken specter

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noun

an optical phenomenon sometimes occurring at high altitudes when the image of an observer placed between the sun and a cloud is projected on the cloud as a greatly magnified shadow.

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Origin of Brocken specter

First recorded in 1920–25; see origin at Brocken bow

Words nearby Brocken specter

brochure, brock, brockage, Brocken, Brocken bow, Brocken specter, brocket, Brockhouse, Brockton, Brockville, Brocot escapement

How to use Brocken specter in a sentence

Despite his efforts to live in the present, he seemed haunted by the specter of his father.
The Story Behind Lee Marvin’s Liberty Valance Smile|Robert Ward|January 3, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Against the Grain By Michael Specter, The New Yorker Should you go gluten-free?
The Daily Beast’s Best Longreads, Oct 27-Nov 2, 2014|William Boot|November 2, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The specter of wrongful convictions haunts the public officials involved.
The Myth of the Central Park Five|Edward Conlon|October 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The specter of this virus fills some of our most stalwart souls with unreasoning dread even when it is no immediate threat.
Ebola Nurses Are As Brave As Soldiers|Michael Daly|October 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST

If 80,000 is the population of Danbury, 60 million is the population of California and Texas combined: no small specter, that.
Kailash Satyarthi, Malala's Nobel Peace Prize Co-Winner, Is Fighting India's Child Slavery Epidemic|Dilip D’Souza|October 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Long after Christianity had penetrated to these regions, the Brocken remained a place of heathen worship.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 4, Part 3|Various
In the folklore of north Germany the Brocken holds an important place, and to it cling many legends.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 4, Part 3|Various
I've seen the night when Brocken would be tame beside the pandemonium round-about.
The Adventures of Kathlyn|Harold MacGrath
The fatality of war was now hovering over them like a huge black specter.
The Civil War Through the Camera|Henry W. (Henry William) Elson
Lightbody, overturning chair and table, sprang up—recoiling as one recoils before an avenging specter.
Murder in Any Degree|Owen Johnson