specter, spectre (spekter)

[OF. (and F.) spectre = Sp. Pg. espectro It. spettro, an image, figure, ghost, benevolent or (more usually) malevolent purpose. They are sometimes represented as speaking, but more commonly as only using terrifying or persuasive gestures to induce compliance with their wishes. The word is rarely used for the di ociated soul of a living person. The ghosts of traitors from the Bridge descend, With bold fanatic spectres to rejoice. Dryden, Annus Mirabilis, st. 223. One of the afflicted, I know, bore witne to the apparition Of ghosts unto the spectre of this Bishop, Saying, "You murdered us!" Long fellow, Giles Corey, iii. 2. IMG:content-1678.png:[blocks in formation] 2. In zoöl.: (a) One of many names of gre orial orthopterous insects of the family Phasmi dæ; a walking-stick or stick-insect; a specter insect. (b) The specter-bat. (c) The specter lemur. (d) A specter-shrimp.-Specter of the Brocken, an optical phenomenon named from the Brock en, a mountain of the Harz range, where it has been most frequently observed. It consists of the shadow of the observer cast at sunrise or sunset in apparently gigantic size upon the mist or fog about the mountain-summit. The shadow is sometimes inclosed in a prismatic circle called the Brocken bow, and again is bordered with a colored fringe. Howitt states that, if the is very dry, not only one's self, but one's neighbor; if very damp, only one's self, surrounded by a rainbow-colored glory. Also Brocken specter. =Syn. 1. Apparition, Phantom, etc. See ghost.