phantasm

Phantasm is a noun that denotes an apparition, illusion, or mental image. It can refer to a ghostly appearance perceived despite the absence of a physical source, or more generally to any vivid, unreal representation of a person or thing. In everyday language the term is often used interchangeably with phantom, though phantasm can carry a nuance of transitory or dream-like imagery rather than a concrete entity.

Etymology: The term derives from Latin phantasma and Greek phantasma, from a root meaning appearance or illusion. It entered English in the medieval period and persists mainly in literary, academic, or historical contexts.

Usage in philosophy and theology: In classical philosophy and medieval theology, phantasm referred to a mental image produced by perception, which persists after the external object has ceased to act. It was used to distinguish inner representations from actual objects. In some theological discussions, phantasms were treated as appearances of beings or as figures conjured by the imagination that might be real or illusory.

Modern usage: In contemporary writing the term tends to appear in literature, criticism, and discussions of perception or consciousness. It also appears as a title or motif in popular culture, most notably in the 1979 film Phantasm, which centers on a supernatural entity that manifests as a tall, hooded figure. The word remains a poetic or scholarly alternative to phantom or illusion.