ghost
UK[ɡəʊst]US[ɡoʊst]
n
the spirit of a dead person, sometimes represented as a pale, almost transparent image of that person that some people believe appears to people who are alive
n
a very slight amount or trace of something
v
to act as a ghostwriter for someone
Etymology
the modern english word 'ghost' descends directly from the old english 'gāst', which denoted the soul, spirit, or breath—the vital principle of life. this term is of common germanic origin, sharing a root with words like the german 'geist', meaning 'spirit' or 'mind'. the spelling with 'gh-' emerged in the early 15th century, influenced by flemish scribes, and was likely reinforced by association with the unrelated word 'ghastly'. the core concept of an intangible, animating force evolved specifically to mean the apparition of a deceased person, a meaning that has been central to its definition for over a millennium. from this primary sense, figurative extensions developed, such as a faint trace or the act of writing anonymously for another.
Analysis
the word is a simplex unit. its origin is from old english 'gāst', meaning 'spirit, soul, breath, good or bad spirit, angel, demon'. it is of germanic origin, related to dutch 'geest' and german 'geist'.
Examples
the old house was rumored to be haunted by a ghost.
there wasn't a ghost of a chance that the plan would succeed.
the celebrity hired a writer to ghost her autobiography.