Specter \Spec"ter\, Spectre \Spec"tre\, n. [F. spectre, fr. L.
spectrum an appearance, image, specter, fr. specere to look.
See Spy, and cf. Spectrum.]
1. Something preternaturally visible; an apparition; a ghost;
a phantom.
The ghosts of traitors from the bridge descend, With
bold fanatic specters to rejoice. --Dryden.
2. (Zo["o]l.) (a) The tarsius. (b) A stick insect.
Specter bat (Zo["o]l.), any phyllostome bat.
Specter candle (Zo["o]l.), a belemnite.
Specter shrimp (Zo["o]l.), a skeleton shrimp. See under
Skeleton.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) |