Vanishment

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. The act or process of something ceasing to be seen or existing in sight
2. A disappearance that happens when something stops being visible or present
3. The sudden or gradual ending of appearance where an object or entity fades from view

Etymology: "Vanishment" is a plain English formation: the verb "vanish" with the suffix "-ment," which turns a verb into a noun naming the act or result of that action, as in "settlement" or "amazement." Here it names the act of vanishing, the moment something passes out of sight or ceases to be present. "Vanish" itself traces back to Old French "vanir" or "envanir," a verb related to the idea of disappearing, and the suffix "-ment" came into English largely through French, so the pairing is a blend of Old French and English word-building. Because "-ment" attaches so freely to verbs, English speakers have long been able to coin nouns like this one whenever a fresh noun for an action is needed.

Synonyms: disappearance, evanescence, fade-out, dissolution, extinction

Antonyms: appearance, existence, presence, manifestation, arrival