phantom
Definitions
A ghost or apparition
幽灵，鬼魂
Something that exists only in the imagination or appears to exist but does not
幻影，幻象；虚幻之物
Not really existing; existing only in appearance or on paper
虚幻的，虚设的，名义上的
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedFrom Greek phantazein (to make visible, present to the eye), itself from phainein (appear). A phantom is the root pushed to its edge: something that *appears* but isn't truly there. That paradox — visible yet unreal — drives every modern use.
Root phas still carries 13 more wordsWhy It Means This
Notice the family resemblance: phantom, fantasy, and fancy all come from the same Greek 'appear' stem, but they split duties. Fantasy and fancy keep the 'image conjured in the mind' sense; phantom keeps the 'eerie, unreal apparition' sense. So a phantom limb is a hand the brain still 'sees' after amputation, and a phantom company exists only on paper — visible in records, real nowhere.
Common Collocations
- 1.phantom limb幻肢
- 2.phantom pain幻肢痛
- 3.phantom company空壳公司
- 4.phantom menace虚幻的威胁
Example Sentences
- 1.
Many amputees report a phantom limb that still seems to itch.
- 2.
The old theater is said to be haunted by a phantom.
- 3.
Investigators uncovered a network of phantom companies used to hide money.