Mirage ( noun , verb )

(As a noun)

Mirage ( noun )

1. An optical illusion caused by atmospheric conditions, especially the appearance of a sheet of water in a desert or on a hot road caused by the refraction of light from the sky by heated air.
2. Something that appears to exist but is not real or attainable; a fanciful or illusionary idea.

Origin:

From french, from old french mirage, from mirer ("to look at"), from latin mirari ("to wonder a.t")

Examples:

1. The oasis appeared to be a mirage on the hot desert horizon.
2. He thought the pool of water was a mirage, but it was real.
3. The city in the distance was just a mirage.
4. The idea of peace was just a mirage in the midst of war.
5. The job opportunity was a mirage, it never materialized.

(As a verb)

Mirage ( verb )

1. An optical illusion caused by atmospheric conditions, especially the appearance of a sheet of water in a desert or on a hot road caused by the refraction of light from the sky by heated air.
2. Something that appears to exist but is not real or attainable; a fanciful or illusionary idea.

Origin:

From french, from old french mirage, from mirer ("to look at"), from latin mirari ("to wonder a.t")

Examples:

1. The oasis appeared to be a mirage on the hot desert horizon.
2. He thought the pool of water was a mirage, but it was real.
3. The city in the distance was just a mirage.
4. The idea of peace was just a mirage in the midst of war.
5. The job opportunity was a mirage, it never materialized.