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Definition of «phantom»

The term "phantom" has several meanings, depending on its context.

In general usage, a phantom refers to something that is imaginary or illusory - it appears real but is not actually present or tangible. For example, one might say they saw a ghostly apparition or an optical illusion and describe it as a "phantom".

In medicine, the term can refer to a sensation or pain caused by damage to a nerve or tissue, which may persist after the original cause has healed. This is known as phantom limb syndrome when experienced by amputees who still feel their missing limb.

The word "phantom" can also be used in a more specific sense to refer to a particular type of musical instrument - specifically, one that produces sound through the use of vibrating air rather than strings or percussion. This is known as an aerophone and includes instruments such as the flute, oboe, clarinet, and saxophone.

Usage examples

  1. The phantom of the opera haunted the theater, leaving the audience in awe of its mysterious presence.
  2. The detective tried to solve the case of the phantom thief, who had eluded capture for years.
  3. The haunted house was rumored to be inhabited by a malevolent phantom, scaring away anyone who dared to enter.
  4. In folklore, a phantom is often described as a ghostly figure that can be seen but not touched.
  5. The magician amazed the crowd by making a phantom object appear and disappear at will.
  6. The phantom limb phenomenon refers to the sensation of feeling a body part that is no longer there, often experienced by amputees.
  7. The eerie howling in the night was attributed to a pack of phantoms roaming the woods.
  8. The protagonist in the book was plagued by phantom memories of a traumatic event that had never actually happened.
  9. The scientist conducted experiments on the perception of phantom smells, exploring how certain scents can be experienced without any external source.
  10. The film depicted a dystopian world where phantoms were used as mindless servants, controlled by a powerful dictatorship.

Phrases with «phantom»

Sentences with «phantom»

  • A related series of sculptural work, Pouran Jinchi's Prayer Stones will be shown as part of Phantoms of Asia: Contemporary Awakens the Past (guest curated by Mami Kataoka, Chief Curator, Mori Art Museum, Tokyo, in collaboration with Allison Harding) starting in the spring of this year at the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco, CA. (artprojects.com)
  • There's something to be said about the nature of phantom pain in this regard, especially since Skull Face effectively spends all of the first chapter accomplishing nothing. (goombastomp.com)
  • «New insights into cause of phantom limb pain may have therapeutic benefits.» (sciencedaily.com)
  • (see all sentences)

See also

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