wraith

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English

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Etymology

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Borrowed from Middle Scots wraith, first attested in 1513 as a translation of the Aeneid.[1][2][3]

The word has no certain etymology. J. R. R. Tolkien favored a link with writhe. Also compared are Scots warth and Old Norse vǫrðr (watcher, guardian), whence Icelandic vörður (guard). See also wray/bewray, from Middle English wreien. Perhaps from wrath as a wraith is a vengeful spirit.

Pronunciation

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  • enPR: rāth, IPA(key): /ɹeɪθ/
  • Rhymes: -eɪθ
  • Audio (US):(file)

Noun

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wraith (plural wraiths)

  1. A ghost or specter, especially a person's likeness seen just after their death.
    Synonyms: see Thesaurus:ghost

Derived terms

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Translations

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References

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  1. ^ Gawin Douglas, transl. (1513), chapter X, in Eneados, volume 10, lines 81–82:Nor ȝit na vayn wrathys nor gaiſtis quent / Thi char conſtrenyt bakwart forto wentNor yet no vain wraiths nor quaint ghosts / constrained Thy chariot to go backward
  2. ^ Gawin Douglas, transl. (1513), chapter XI, in Eneados, volume 10, lines 95–96:Syklyke as that, thai ſay, in diuers placis / The wraithis walkis of goiſtis that ar dedSuch as that, they say, in diverse places / The wraiths walk of ghosts that are dead
  3. ^ Gawin Douglas, transl. (1513), chapter XI, in Eneados, volume 10, lines 129–130:Thydder went this wrath or ſchaddo of Ene, / That ſemyt, all abaſyt, faſt to fleThither went this wraith or shade of Ene, / That seemed, all abased, fast to flee

Further reading

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