The word "haunted" is spelled with six letters and pronounced /ˈhɔːntɪd/. The first syllable "haunt" is pronounced with a long vowel sound represented by the symbol /ɔː/ and the letter "u" serves as a silent letter. The second syllable "-ed" is pronounced with a schwa sound represented by the symbol /ɪd/. The spelling of this word reflects the influence of Middle English phonetic rules, where the long vowel sound was represented by the letter "a" and the silent "u" was used to indicate the pronunciation of the preceding vowel sound.
Haunted is an adjective that is commonly used to describe a place or a person that is believed to be inhabited or visited by ghosts, spirits, or supernatural beings. It refers to a state of being or feeling that is associated with past events, often negative or tragic, and suggests that these events continue to have an influence or presence in the present.
In relation to a location, a haunted place is typically seen as possessing a paranormal or metaphysical aura, with stories and accounts of ghostly sightings, unexplained phenomena, or eerie happenings. These stories often contribute to the belief that the place is haunted. It implies that the space is imbued with an otherworldly or spectral atmosphere that can elicit fear, unease, or a sense of the supernatural.
When referring to a person, haunted typically describes someone who is deeply affected, burdened, or influenced by past experiences, often traumatic or distressing. It suggests a persistent preoccupation with these experiences, which may manifest as emotional distress, troubled thoughts, or recurring memories. In this context, haunted denotes an individual who seems to carry the weight or ghostly reminders of their past, which impacts their present well-being.
Overall, haunted encompasses both the literal and metaphorical dimensions of ghostly presence, supernatural influence, and the enduring impact of past events. It conveys a sense of mysterious, ethereal, or psychological involvement with the past, creating an atmosphere tinged with an eerie or unsettling quality.
Frequently visited, especially by ghosts or apparitions; subject to the visits of.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "haunted" derives from the Middle English word "haunten" or "hauntened", which originated from the Old French word "hanter". In turn, "hanter" can be traced back to the late Latin word "hagire", meaning "to frequent". Over time, "haunten" transformed into "haunted", gaining its current usage to describe places or objects that are believed to be occupied or visited by spirits or ghosts.