Word – Wraith

Wraith – Word of the Day

Meaning:

The ghostlike image of someone, seen around the time of their death. Usually used to refer to someone of something that is pale and/or thin. 

Also, a barely visible form or substance.

Origin:

This word first appeared in a 1513 English translation of Virgil’s “The Aeneid”.

Examples:

Noun examples:

1. Heart attacks had reduced his mother to a wraith.
2. I saw a wraith of my deceased father one night. I couldn’t sleep a wink after that.
3. Legend has it, the wraith of the murdered princess roams the fortress every year on the night of her death, looking for the man who can restore her honour.
4. If you want to interpret your repeated sighting of that wraith, you could always meet the witch on West 81st street.

Adjective example:

1. The wind was sending a wraithlike column of smoke skyward.
2. I saw a wraithlike figure of a woman while hiking in the mountains yesterday. I still can’t be sure if she was real.