ˌæp.əɹˈɪʃn̩ ˌæp.ɚˈɪʃ.n̩ ˈfæntæzəm ˈfæntəm ˈʃædoʊ ˈʃædəʊ ˈspɛktɚ ˈspɛktə something existing in perception only a ghostly apparition at midnight a ghostly appearing figure we were unprepared for the apparition that confronted us