I. ˈfan-təm noun
Etymology: Middle English fantosme, fantome, from Anglo-French fantosme phantasm
Date: 14th century
1.
a. : something (as a specter) apparent to sense but with no substantial existence : apparition
b. : something elusive or visionary : will-o'-the-wisp
c. : an object of continual dread or abhorrence : bugbear
the phantom of disease and want
2. : something existing in appearance only
3. : a representation of something abstract, ideal, or incorporeal
she was a phantom of delight — William Wordsworth
• phan·tom·like -ˌlīk adverb or adjective
II. adjective
Date: 15th century
1. : of the nature of, suggesting, or being a phantom : illusory
2. : fictitious , dummy
phantom voters