Quick Definition
φάντασμα, ατος, τό n.n. an apparition, ghost, spirit
Strong's Definition
(properly concrete) a (mere) show ("phantasm"), i.e. spectre
Derivation: from G5324 (φαντάζω);
KJV Usage: spirit
UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament
noun, n. | -τος | φαίνω
12.42 · Supernatural Beings and Powers · Supernatural Beings
ghost an apparition Most languages have quite satisfactory terms for ‘ghosts’ or ‘apparitions,’ since the psychological phenomena associated with such appearances are apparently universal. In some languages the equivalent of ‘ghost’ is simply ‘shadow.’ In other instances it may be literally ‘breath.’ In some instances the meaning of ‘ghost’ is incorporated within a verb expression, for example, ‘they saw, as it were, through him.’
The NT contains a number of lexical items (12.43-12.47) referring to supernatural powers believed to be active as elemental spirits exercising control over man’s fate. Though these may have certain special features associated with them and though in extrabiblical literature they may represent various grades of supernatural power, there seems to be no way in which they can be clearly distinguished on the basis of their NT usage. Appropriate equivalent expressions in other languages are extremely difficult to find, primarily because other religious systems usually have completely different beliefs relative to supernatural powers. In many languages it is simply not possible to speak of such supernatural powers without in some way identifying them with various kinds of spirits.
UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament © United Bible Societies, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Thayer's Greek Lexicon
φάντασμα, -ros, τό, (φαντάζω), an appearance; spec. an apparition, spectre: Mt. xiv. 26; Mk. vi. 49. (Aeschyl., Eur., Plat., Dion. Hal., Plut., al.; Sap. xvii. 14 (15).)
Mounce Concise Greek Dictionary
φάντασμα phantasma 2x
a phantom, specter, Mt. 14:26; Mk. 6:49*
Abbott-Smith Greek Lexicon
φάντασμα, -τος, τό
(< φαντάζω), [in LXX: Jb 20:8 A (חִזָּיוֹן), Is 28:7 A, Wi 17:15 * ;]
= φάσμα, an appearance, apparition (Æsch., al.): Mt 14:26, Mk 6:49 (v. DCG, i, 111b).†
Moulton & Milligan — Vocabulary of the Greek NT
φάντασμα, “appearance,” ‘‘apparition” (Mt 1426, Mk 639): cf. the charm P Lond 121979 (iti/A.p.) (=I. p. 102) φυλακτήριον σωματοφύλαξ πρὸς δαίμονας πρὸς φαντάσματα πρὸς πᾶσαν νόσον κτλ., and the corresponding use of φαντασμός in 20. 124° (iv/v A.D.) (=I. p. 122) θυμοκάTOXOV . . πρὸς ἐχθροὺς. . Kal φόβους Kal φαντασμοὺς ὀνείρων, a spell for defeating the malice of enemies.
Liddell-Scott-Jones — Greek-English Lexicon
φάντασμα (phantasma) — ghost. φάντᾰσ-μα, ατος, τό, ={φάσμα}, apparition, phantom, ἐνύπνια φαντάσματα [NT+5th c.BC+]; vision, dream, [Refs 4th c.BC+] __b plural, phenomena, τὰ ἐν ἀέρι φ. [Refs 4th c.BC+]: plural, portents, [Refs 1st c.BC+]
II. ={φαντασία}[Refs 5th c.BC+] U.; distinguished from εἰκών, [Refs 5th c.BC+]