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.]

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.]

She was uncertain if it were the gypsy or her wraith. --Sir W. Scott.

O, hollow wraith of dying fame. --Tennyson.

2. Sometimes, improperly, a spirit thought to preside over the waters; -- called also water wraith. --M. G. Lewis.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)