Main Entry:

spec·ter

Variant(s):

or spec·tre \ˈspek-tər\

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>