poltergeist

[ pohl-ter-gahyst ]

/ ˈpoʊl tərˌgaɪst /

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noun

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

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Origin of poltergeist

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

Words nearby poltergeist

polos, polo shirt, Pol Pot, Polska, Poltava, poltergeist, poltroon, poly, polyacid, polyacrylamide, polyacrylamide gel

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use poltergeist in a sentence

It’s a ghost hunter claiming that a wily poltergeist had jammed his poltergeist-detection device.
A perfect example of how obviously unproven fraud claims are sanitized|Philip Bump|May 13, 2021|Washington Post
Listen to these genuinely disturbing choices below to include for your own poltergeist party, and be sure to check out all the past episodes of The Playlist in the archives.
Trick Or Treat: An All Hallows’ Eve Playlist For You Guys And Ghouls|cmurray|October 30, 2020|Essence.com
H.R. Giger, best known for his work on movies like Alien and Poltergeist 2, died at the age of 74.
Hollywood’s Sci-Fi Artist H.R. Giger Dead at 74|Justin Jones|May 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The plot hews close to Poltergeist, the Tobe Hooper-directed, Steven Spielberg-produced haunted house classic from 1982.
Insidious' Unsettling Horror|Keith Phipps|April 1, 2011|DAILY BEAST

“It was a pure poltergeist phenomenon and absolutely true to form” he said.
Ghostbusters Is Real!|Benjamin Sarlin|October 26, 2009|DAILY BEAST
I was told you claimed you had to have a poltergeist in the process.
Sense from Thought Divide|Mark Irvin Clifton
I believe that the idea was to appease the Poltergeist, who would otherwise vex and disturb the young couple.
Home Life in Germany|Mrs. Alfred Sidgwick
Rackets in general are caused by lares domestici (“brownies”) or the Poltergeist.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 13, Slice 1|Various
Yet where did these articles go, and of what use would they be to a poltergeist?
Byways of Ghost-Land|Elliott O'Donnell
In short, the usual strange feats that characterise poltergeist phenomena.
The Psychical Researcher's Tale - The Sceptical Poltergeist|J. D. Beresford

British Dictionary definitions for poltergeist

poltergeist

/ (ˈpɒltəˌɡaɪst) /

noun

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

Word Origin for poltergeist

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

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

poltergeist

Origin of poltergeist

Words nearby poltergeist

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How to use poltergeist in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for poltergeist

Word Origin for poltergeist