water wraith

1 definition found

water wraith - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Wraith \Wraith\, n. [Scot. wraith, warth; probably originally, a
     guardian angel, from Icel. v["o]r[eth]r a warden, guardian,
     akin to E. ward. See Ward a guard.]
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     1. An apparition of a person in his exact likeness, seen
        before death, or a little after; hence, an apparition; a
        specter; a vision; an unreal image. [Scot.]
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              She was uncertain if it were the gypsy or her
              wraith.                               --Sir W.
                                                    Scott.
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              O, hollow wraith of dying fame.       --Tennyson.
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     2. Sometimes, improperly, a spirit thought to preside over
        the waters; -- called also water wraith. --M. G. Lewis.
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