will-o'-the-wisp – מילון אנגלי-אנגלי
Will-o'-the-wisp
A
will-o'-the-wisp ,
will-o'-wisp , or
ignis fatuus (;
Medieval Latin: "foolish fire") is an
atmospheric ghost light seen by travellers at night, especially over bogs, swamps or marshes. It resembles a flickering lamp and is said to recede if approached, drawing travellers from the safe paths. The phenomenon is known by a variety of names, including
jack-o'-lantern, friar's lantern, hinkypunk, and
hobby lantern in English
folk belief, well attested in
English folklore and in much of
European folklore.
will-o'-the-wisp
Noun
1. a pale light sometimes seen at night over marshy ground
(synonym) friar's lantern, ignis fatuus, jack-o'-lantern
(hypernym) light, visible light, visible radiation
2. an illusion that misleads
(synonym) ignis fatuus
(hypernym) illusion, fantasy, phantasy, fancy
Will-o'-the-wisp
(n.)
See Ignis fatuus.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913), edited by Noah Porter.
About
Will-o'-the-wisp
[Folklore] Will-o'-the-wisps are the faint lights seen on marshes and bogs on still nights after sunset. Usually a soft bluish light, but also reddish or greenish in appearance. In folklore, they are thought to be imps or pixies leading victims to danger in swamps and heaths. Sometimes they are believed to be the spirits of stillborn children flitting between heaven and hell. It is also known as Jack O'Lantern, Peg-a-Lantern, Friar's Lantern, Spunkie, Fox Fire, and Walking Fire. The classical name for this phenomena is Ignus Fatuus ("fools fire").
WILL-O'-THE-WISP
FUOCO FATUO. PERSONA INAFFERRABILE
