noun
mirage
muh-RAHZH/məˈrɑːʒ/
An appearance created by bent light that misrepresents what is there.
The mirage makes a distant palm appear reflected in water above dry sand.
Etymology
French mirage named the deceptive appearance of objects reflected in desert water. It may derive from se mirer, “to be reflected,” though the source also offers Latin mirus, “wonderful,” as an alternative.
In context
there is water based on the mistaken belief that a mirage is an oasis
More examples
- The distant lake turns out to be a mirage.
- Mirages can make distant ships appear to float above the horizon.
- As we approach, the mirage of water disappears.
Forms
mirage · mirages
Similar words
- illusion
- A broader deceptive appearance, not necessarily caused by bent light.
- hallucination
- A perception without an external source, rather than distorted light.