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View synonyms for
will-o'-the-wisp
[ wil-uh-thuh-wisp ]
will-o'-the-wisp
/ ËŒ·Éɪ±ôəðəˈ·Éɪ²õ±è /
noun
- 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
- a person or thing that is elusive or allures and misleads
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Derived Forms
- ËŒ·É¾±±ô±ô-´Ç&#³æ27;-³Ù³ó±ð-ˈ·É¾±²õ±è¾±²õ³ó, adjective
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Other ˜yÐÄvlog Forms
- ·É¾±±ô±ôo&#³æ27;-³Ù³ó±ð-·É¾±²õ±èi²õ³ó especially British, ·É¾±±ô±ôo&#³æ27;-³Ù³ó±ð-·É¾±²õ±èy adjective
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˜yÐÄvlog History and Origins
Origin of will-o'-the-wisp1
1600–10; originally Will (i.e., William) with the wisp; wisp
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˜yÐÄvlog 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
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Example Sentences
Examples have not been reviewed.
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
But the little light version slipped through her fingers like a will-o'-the-wisp.
From
The independence referendum is the will-o'-the-wisp of the Scottish election campaign.
From
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
Chasing will-o'-the-wisp planners, judges and environmental activists is mere skirmishing.
From
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