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

His famed Hope, Fata Morgana, and Una and the Red Cross Knight, were elegant, Raphael-like and beautiful enough to stick in the public's mind.

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)