mirage

[ mi-rahzh ]
/ mɪˈrɑʒ /

noun

an optical phenomenon, especially in the desert or at sea, by which the image of some object appears displaced above, below, or to one side of its true position as a result of spatial variations of the index of refraction of air.
something illusory, without substance or reality.
(initial capital letter) Military. any of a series of supersonic, delta-wing, multirole French fighter-bombers.

Origin of mirage

1795–1805; < French, equivalent to ( se) mir(er) to look at (oneself), be reflected (< Latin mīrārī to wonder at) + -age -age

Example sentences from the Web for mirage

British Dictionary definitions for mirage

mirage
/ (mɪˈrɑːʒ) /

noun

an image of a distant object or sheet of water, often inverted or distorted, caused by atmospheric refraction by hot air
something illusory

Word Origin for mirage

C19: from French, from ( se) mirer to be reflected

Scientific definitions for mirage

mirage
[ mĭ-räzh ]

An image formed under certain atmospheric conditions, in which objects appear to be reflected or displaced or in which nonexistent objects seem to appear. For example, the difference in the index of refraction between a low layer of very hot air and a higher level of cold air can cause light rays, travelling down from an object (such as the sky or a cloud) and passing through ever warmer air, to be refracted back up again. An observer viewing these light rays perceives them coming up off the ground, and thus sees the inverted image of the object, which appears lower than the object really is. In this way the sky itself can be reflected, resulting in the mirage of a distant lake.