The supposed manifestation of the presence of one or more poltergeists, especially as involving physical objects which move or fly about without warning.
1920, E. H. Jones, The Road to En-Dor, John Lane (London), p. 28:"Breakin' windows and such," Hall said; "reg'lar Mafficking night they 'ad last night. Put the wind up them all proper.""Poltergeistism!" I ejaculated.
1958, Robert Wallace, "House of Flying Objects," Life, 17 March, p. 55:There are numerous records of poltergeists in the scientific and quasi-scientific literature of Europe and the U.S., although there is probably no case of poltergeistism anywhere that has been authenticated beyond reasonable doubt.
2002, Mulaika Hijjas, "Family Ghosts," Feminist Studies, vol. 28, no. 2, p. 372:Robert Foong had noted that the tactics of aggrieved family ghosts were more along the lines of passive-aggressive than poltergeistism. Nevertheless, Juliet gave a covert look around the room for handy missiles.
