ignis fatuus

ignis fatuus is a   Noun

Definition:

[1] A phosphorescent light that appears, in the night, over marshy ground, supposed to be occasioned by the decomposition of animal or vegetable substances, or by some inflammable gas; -- popularly called also Will-with-the-wisp, or Will-o`-the-wisp, and Jack-with-a- lantern, or Jack-o`-lantern.

[2] Fig.: A misleading influence; a decoy. Scared and guided by the ignis fatuus of popular superstition. Jer. Taylor.

Synonyms: