What is "apport"

n. (context parapsychology English) The supposed paranormal transference of an object from one place to another, or the appearance of an object from an unknown source, often associated with poltergeist activity and séances.

According to parapsychologists and spiritualists, an apport is the paranormal transference of an article from one place to another, or an appearance of an article from an unknown source that is often associated with poltergeist activity or spiritualistic séances.

The Skeptic's Dictionary states that apports reported during seances are likely the result of magic tricks. A famous apport fraud is attributed to Charles Bailey (1870-1947). During a séance, Bailey produced two live birds out of thin air but was undone when the dealer who sold him the birds appeared in the crowd. Common objects that are produced are stones, flowers, perfumes, and animals. These objects are said to be "gifts" from the spirit(s).

In March 1902 in Berlin, police officers interrupted a séance of the apport medium Frau Anna Rothe. Her hands were grabbed and she was wrestled to the ground. A female police assistant physically examined Rothe and discovered 157 flowers as well as oranges and lemons hidden in her petticoat. She was arrested and charged with fraud. After a trial lasting six days she was sentenced to eighteen months imprisonment.

In 1926, Heinrich Melzer was exposed as a fraud as he was caught in the séance room with small stones attached to the back of his ears by flesh coloured tape. According to Terence Hines "Some female mediums went so far as to conceal in their vagina or anus objects to be "apported" during the seance and gauzy fabric that would become "ectoplasm" during the seance. These were places that Victorian gentlemen, no matter how skeptical, were highly unlikely to ask to search." There are many cases where apports have been smuggled into the séance room.

Apport may refer to:

• Apport (paranormal), the paranormal transference or appearance of an object
• Apport (software), a crash reporter for the Ubuntu operating system
• Apport (tribute), a kind of tribute payment in medieval Europe