wraith

/reɪθ/
noun
  1. A ghost or spirit, especially one seen shortly before or after a person's death.
    • The old castle was said to be haunted by a wraith.
    • Legends tell of a wraith that appears to warn of danger.
    • She saw a wraith of her grandmother the night she passed away.
  2. A faint, shadowy, or barely visible form or image.
    • Through the fog, he could see the wraith of a distant ship.
    • The memory of that day was a wraith that lingered in his mind.
    • A wraith of smoke rose from the dying embers.