apparition
n. C2 Proficiency US //ˌæpɝˈɪʃən// UK //ˌæpəɹˈɪʃən// ap·pari·tion
n. a ghostly image or a sudden, bright flash of light in the sky. It is a word you might hear when someone sees a strange light that disappears quickly.
n. a ghostly image or a sudden, brief appearance of a luminous object in the sky. Often used in astronomical contexts to describe transient phenomena like meteors or atmospheric optical effects.
The bright apparition in the sky lasted only a few seconds.
Astronomers recorded the brief apparition of a comet as it passed close to the planet.
The sudden apparition of a luminous cloud over the horizon caused a brief panic among the sailors, who mistook it for a supernatural omen.
From Middle French apparition, from Latin apparitio, from appareo.