apparition in WordNet English dictionary

1. an act of appearing or becoming visible unexpectedly
   "natives were amazed at the apparition of this white stranger"
   apparition 
   
2. something existing in perception only
   "a ghostly apparition at midnight"
   apparition  phantom  phantasm  phantasma  fantasm  shadow 
   
3. the appearance of a ghostlike figure
   "I was recalled to the present by the apparition of a frightening specter"
   apparition 
   
4. a ghostly appearing figure
   "we were unprepared for the apparition that confronted us"
   apparition  phantom  phantasm  phantasma  fantasm  specter  spectre