foxfire

American  

[foks-fahy^uhr] / ˈfɒksˌfaɪər /

Or fox-fire

noun

Chiefly Midland and Southern U.S.

1. organic luminescence, especially from certain fungi on decaying wood.

2. any of various fungi causing luminescence in decaying wood.

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foxfire British  

/ ˈfɒksˌfaɪə /

noun

1. a luminescent glow emitted by certain fungi on rotting wood See also bioluminescence

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Etymology

Origin of foxfire

late Middle English word dating back to 1425–75; see origin at fox, fire

Example Sentences

Kira is a Thunder Kitsune with powers over electricity and foxfire.

From Salon • Aug. 21, 2021

The only light inside the vessel was provided by a piece of fungus-covered rotting wood, which gave off a soft glow known as foxfire.

From "Shipwrecked!" by Martin W. Sandler

I didn’t see a bear, didn’t see a salamander, didn’t see foxfire, didn’t see anything actually—just perpetual dribbles and droplets of rain adhering to my glasses.

From "A Walk in the Woods" by Bill Bryson

As they walked away from the cabin, they saw something coming toward them, glowing like foxfire out in the piney woods.

From "The Seven Wonders of Sassafras Springs" by Betty G. Birney

This giant oak Floods from the Alleghanies bore To wedge here by this sycamore; Its wounded bulk, heart-rotted white, Lights ghostly foxfire in the night.

From Days and Dreams Poems by Cawein, Madison J.