Ignis fatuus
/ˈɪɡnɪs ˈfætjuːəs/ noun
noun ·Moderate ·College level
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A will o' the wisp.
"Fiery spirits or devils are such as commonly work by blazing stars, fire-drakes, or ignes fatui; which lead men often in flumina aut præcipitia, saith Bodine[…]"
- 2 an illusion that misleads wordnet
- 3 A delusion, a false hope. figuratively
"[…] they think this is written on purpose to be published; and that this defence is so published, that it may serve as an Ignis fatuus to mislead them […]"
- 4 a pale light sometimes seen at night over marshy ground wordnet
Example
More examples"Fiery spirits or devils are such as commonly work by blazing stars, fire-drakes, or ignes fatui; which lead men often in flumina aut præcipitia, saith Bodine[…]"
Etymology
From New Latin ignis fatuus (literally “foolish fire”).