ectoplasm

Meanings

1. A visible substance believed to emanate from the body of a spiritualistic medium during communication with the dead.
2. An immaterial or ethereal substance, especially the transparent corporeal presence of a spirit or ghost.
3. The outer granule-free layer of cytoplasm.

Etymology

From ecto- (“outside”) + plasm or -plasm, referring to the fact that ectoplasm is believed to emanate from and materialize outside of the medium's body.