poltergeistism

English

Etymology

poltergeist +‎ -ism

Noun

poltergeistism (uncountable)

  1. The supposed manifestation of the presence of one or more poltergeists, especially as involving physical objects which move or fly about without warning.
    • 1920, E. H. Jones, The Road to En-Dor, John Lane (London), p. 28:
      "Breakin' windows and such," Hall said; "reg'lar Mafficking night they 'ad last night. Put the wind up them all proper."
      "Poltergeistism!" I ejaculated.
    • 1958, Robert Wallace, "House of Flying Objects," Life, 17 March, p. 55:
      There are numerous records of poltergeists in the scientific and quasi-scientific literature of Europe and the U.S., although there is probably no case of poltergeistism anywhere that has been authenticated beyond reasonable doubt.
    • 2002, Mulaika Hijjas, "Family Ghosts," Feminist Studies, vol. 28, no. 2, p. 372:
      Robert Foong had noted that the tactics of aggrieved family ghosts were more along the lines of passive-aggressive than poltergeistism. Nevertheless, Juliet gave a covert look around the room for handy missiles.
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