In
folklore and
parapsychology, a
poltergeist (German for "rumbling ghost") is a type of
ghost or other
supernatural being supposedly responsible for physical disturbances, such as loud noises and objects being moved or destroyed. Most accounts of poltergeists describe movement or
levitation of objects, such as furniture and cutlery, or noises such as knocking on doors. Poltergeists are purportedly capable of
pinching,
biting,
hitting and tripping people.