phantom: Meaning and Definition of

phan•tom

1. an apparition or specter.
2. an appearance or illusion without material substance, as a dream image, mirage, or optical illusion.
3. a person or thing of merely illusory power, status, efficacy, etc.: the phantom of fear.
4. an illustration, part of which is given a transparent effect so as to permit representation of details otherwise hidden from view, as the inner workings of a mechanical device.

1. of, pertaining to, or of the nature of a phantom; illusory: a phantom sea serpent.
2. noting or pertaining to a phantom circuit.
3. named, included, or recorded but nonexistent; fictitious: Payroll checks were made out and cashed for phantom employees.