Definition of phantasm

< Phanerozoic

phantasma >

phan·tasm    (fntzm) KEY 

NOUN:

1. Something apparently seen but having no physical reality; a phantom or an apparition. Also called phantasma.
2. An illusory mental image. Also called phantasma.
3. In Platonic philosophy, objective reality as perceived and distorted by the five senses.

---

ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English fantasme, from Old French, from Latin phantasma, from Greek, from phantazein, to make visible, from phantos, visible, from phainein, to show; see bh-¹ in Indo-European roots

OTHER FORMS:
phan·tasmal  (fn-tzml) KEY  or phan·tasmic  (-tzmk) KEY (Adjective)