apparition

noun

1. 1

   an act of appearing or becoming visible unexpectedly

   natives were amazed at the apparition of this white stranger

2. 2

   something existing in perception only

   a ghostly apparition at midnight

3. 3

   the appearance of a ghostlike figure

   I was recalled to the present by the apparition of a frightening specter

4. 4

   a ghostly appearing figure

   we were unprepared for the apparition that confronted us