poltergeist
Use Poltergeist in a sentence
tərˌgaɪst noun
a ghost or spirit supposed to manifest its presence by noises, knockings, etc.
Origin:
1840–50; < German Poltergeist, equivalent to polter(n) to make noise, knock, rattle + Geist ghost
1840–50; < German Poltergeist, equivalent to polter(n) to make noise, knock, rattle + Geist ghost
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Link To poltergeist
Collins
World English Dictionary
poltergeist (ˈpɒltəˌɡaɪst) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —n | |
| a spirit believed to manifest its presence by rappings and other noises and also by acts of mischief, such as throwing furniture about | |
| [C19: from German, from poltern to be noisy + Geist | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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00:10
Poltergeist
is always a great word to know.
So is quincunx. Does it mean:
| an arrangement of five objects, as trees, in a square or rectangle, one at each corner and one in the middle. |
| a gadget; dingus; thingumbob. |
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
poltergeist
1838, from Ger. Poltergeist, lit. "noisy ghost," from poltern "make noise, rattle" (from PIE base *bhel- "to sound, ring, roar") + Geist "ghost" (see ghost). In the native idiom of Northern England, such phenomenon likely would be credited to a boggart.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia
poltergeist
(from German Polter, "noise" or "racket"; Geist, "spirit"), in occultism, a disembodied spirit or supernatural force credited with certain malicious or disturbing phenomena, such as inexplicable noises, sudden wild movements, or breakage of household items. Poltergeists are also blamed for violent actions-throwing stones or setting fire to clothing and furniture. Such events are said to be sporadic, unpredictable, and often repetitive.
Learn more about poltergeist with a free trial on Britannica.com.
Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008. Encyclopedia Britannica Online.
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Example sentences
The drawers of a wobbly dresser periodically opened by themselves, as if the room had a poltergeist.
But she's dark and driven: there's something of the poltergeist about her.
There is a poltergeist named peeves in the harry potter books.
This is the opposite of a poltergeist a spirit obsessed with cleaning and tidying.
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