will-o'-the-wisp

will-o'-the-wisp  (wl--wsp)

n.

1. See ignis fatuus.

2. A delusive or misleading hope.

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[From the name Will (nickname for William).]

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will-o'-the-wisp [ˌwɪləðəˈwɪsp]

n

1. (Chemistry) 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

[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]

will-o-the-wispish , will-o-the-wispy adj

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	will-o'-the-wisp - a pale light sometimes seen at night over marshy ground friar's lantern, ignis fatuus, jack-o'-lantern light, visible light, visible radiation - (physics) electromagnetic radiation that can produce a visual sensation; "the light was filtered through a soft glass window"
	2.	will-o'-the-wisp - an illusion that misleads ignis fatuus fancy, phantasy, illusion, fantasy - something many people believe that is false; "they have the illusion that I am very wealthy"

Translations

will-o'-the-wisp [ˈwɪləðəˈwɪsp] N (lit) → fuego m fatuo (fig) → quimera f

will-o'-the-wisp [ˌwɪləðəˈwɪsp] n (= elusive person, thing) → feu follet m

will-o'-the-wisp [ˌwɪləðəˈwɪsp] n (also) (fig) → fuoco fatuo

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will-o'-the-wisp [ˌwɪləðəˈwɪsp] n (also) (fig) → fuoco fatuo