will-o'-the-wisp

American  

[wil-uh-thuh-wisp] / ˈwɪl ə ðəˈwɪsp /

noun

1. ignis fatuus.

2. anything that deludes or misleads by luring on.

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will-o'-the-wisp British  

/ ˌwɪləðəˈwɪsp /

noun

1. Also called: friar's lantern.   ignis fatuus.   jack-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

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Other Word Forms

• will-o'-the-wispish adjective
• willo'-the-wispish adjective

Etymology

Origin of will-o'-the-wisp

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

Example Sentences

More myths would have surrounded the eerie blue glow of will-o'-the-wisp – methane from peat beds burning over the top of the marshes.

From BBC

But the little light version slipped through her fingers like a will-o'-the-wisp.

From Literature

The independence referendum is the will-o'-the-wisp of the Scottish election campaign.

From BBC

The lively, self-aware musical has such a will-o'-the-wisp quality that you fear it will disappear if you attempt to fence it in.

From Los Angeles Times

Chasing will-o'-the-wisp planners, judges and environmental activists is mere skirmishing.

From The Guardian