haunted
UK: ˈhɔːntɪd | US: ˈhɔːntɪd
adj. 1. inhabited or visited by ghosts or spirits
adj. 2. persistently disturbed or troubled (e.g., by memories)
vt. (past tense of "haunt") 1. to visit or inhabit as a ghost
vt. 2. to recur persistently to the mind
The word "haunt" originates from Old French hanter ("to frequent, visit"), likely derived from Germanic heim- ("home"). Over time, it evolved to imply repeated or unwelcome visits, especially by supernatural entities. The suffix -ed marks the past participle, giving "haunted" its adjectival sense of being troubled or ghost-visited. The logic ties to the idea of a place or mind "frequented" by lingering presences, whether literal or metaphorical.
The old mansion is said to be haunted by the ghost of its former owner.
She felt haunted by guilt after the accident.
His dreams were haunted by memories of the war.
The forest has a haunted atmosphere at dusk.
The abandoned asylum is rumored to be haunted.