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specter
[ spek-ter ]
/ ËspÉk tÉr /
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noun
a visible incorporeal spirit, especially one of a terrifying nature; ghost; phantom; apparition.
some object or source of terror or dread: the specter of disease or famine.
QUIZ
THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?
Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.
Question 1 of 7
In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known asâŠ
Also especially British, spec·tre .
Origin of specter
First recorded 1595â1605; from Latin spectrum âappearance, formâ; see spectrum
synonym study for specter
1. See ghost.
Words nearby specter
spectacular, spectate, spectator, spectator pump, spectator sport, specter, spectinomycin, Spector, spectra, spectral, spectral line
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023