will-o'-the-wisp

[ wil-uh-thuh-wisp ]

noun

1. ignis fatuus ( def 1 ).
2. 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

Derived Forms

• ˌwill-o'-the-ˈwispish, adjective

Other Words From

• willo'-the-wispish especially British, willo'-the-wispy adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of will-o'-the-wisp¹

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

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

Example Sentences

And suddenly Guncotton produced his will-o-the-wisp trick, which completed the illusion.

From Project Gutenberg

No charted coast, no lights but love-light, an that most always turns out to be a will-o-the-wisp, that piles ye up on the rocks.

From Project Gutenberg

My dungeon is lighted by the will-o-the-wisp alone; no breath of spring cheers the murky solitude in which I dwell.

From Project Gutenberg

For what a Will-o-the-wisp are you ready to sacrifice my regard, and all the privileges of your position as my granddaughter!

From Project Gutenberg

She slipped into a serviceable and grubby pair of overalls, and spent the afternoon in giving Will-o-the-Wisp a thorough grooming.

From Project Gutenberg