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View synonyms for will-o'-the-wisp
will-o'-the-wisp
[ wil-uh-thuh-wisp ]
will-o'-the-wisp
/ ˌwɪləðəˈwɪsp /
noun
- 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
- a person or thing that is elusive or allures and misleads
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Derived Forms
- ˌwill-o'-the-ˈwispish, adjective
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Other Words From
- willo'-the-wispish especially British, willo'-the-wispy 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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