n.
Variant: or spec · tre
Pronunciation: ' spek-t ə r
Function: noun
Etymology: French spectre, from Latin spectrum appearance, specter, from specere to look, look at ― more at SPY
Date: 1605
1 : a visible disembodied spirit : GHOST
2 : something that haunts or perturbs the mind : PHANTASM <the specter of hunger>