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View synonyms for will-o'-the-wisp

will-o'-the-wisp

[ wil-uh-thuh-wisp ]

noun

  1. anything that deludes or misleads by luring on.


will-o'-the-wisp

/ ˌwɪləðəˈwɪsp /

noun

  1. Also calledfriar's lanternignis fatuusjack-o'-lantern a pale flame or phosphorescence sometimes seen over marshy ground at night. It is believed to be due to the spontaneous combustion of methane or other hydrocarbons originating from decomposing organic matter
  2. a person or thing that is elusive or allures and misleads
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • ˌwill-o'-the-ˈwispish, adjective
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Other Words From

  • willo'-the-wispish especially British, willo'-the-wispy adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of will-o'-the-wisp1

1600–10; originally Will (i.e., William) with the wisp; wisp
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Word History and Origins

Origin of will-o'-the-wisp1

C17: originally Will with the wisp, from Will short for William and wisp in former sense of a twist of hay or straw burning as a torch

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will not hear ofWilloughby