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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.


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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of Fata Morgana

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

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

It was a part of the continuation of Orlando's adventure in the enchanted garden, when, himself pursued and scourged by La Penitenza, he was pursuing the Fata Morgana over rugged rocks and through briery thickets.

From Gryll Grange by Peacock, Thomas Love

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