WRAITH

Wraith (?), n. [[Scot. wraith, warth; probably originally, a guardian angel, from Icel. vörðr a warden, guardian, akin to E. ward. See Ward a guard.]] 1. 1. An apparition of a person in his exact likeness, seen before death, or a little after; hence, an apparition; a specter; a vision; an unreal image.
She was uncertain if it were the gypsy or her wraith. Sir W. Scott. O, hollow wraith of dying fame. Tennyson. 2. 2. Sometimes, improperly, a spirit thought to preside over the waters; — called also water wraith. M. G. Lewis.