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Apparition

1. The act of becoming visible; appearance; visibility. The sudden apparition of the Spaniards. (Prescott) The apparition of lawyer Clippurse occasioned much speculation in that portion of the world. (Sir W. Scott)

2. The thing appearing; a visible object; a form. Which apparition, it seems, was you. (Tatler)

3. An unexpected, wonderful, or preternatural appearance; a ghost; a specter; a phantom. The heavenly bands . . . A glorious apparition. I think it is the weakness of mine eyes That shapes this monstrous apparition. (Shak)

4. (Science: astronomy) The first appearance of a star or other luminary after having been invisible or obscured; opposed to occultation. Circle of perpetual apparition. See circle.

Origin: f. Apparition, L. Apparitio, fr. Apparere. See Appear.