1 ignes fatui | Definition of ignes fatui
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ignis fatuus

noun
ig·​nis fat·​u·​us | \ ˈig-nÉ™s-ˈfa-chÉ™-wÉ™s How to pronounce ignis fatuus (audio) , -ˈfach-wÉ™s\
plural ignes fatui\ ˈig-​ËŒnÄ“z-​ˈfa-​chÉ™-​ËŒwÄ« How to pronounce ignes fatui (audio) \

Definition of ignis fatuus

1 : a light that sometimes appears in the night over marshy ground and is often attributable to the combustion of gas from decomposed organic matter
2 : a deceptive goal or hope

First Known Use of ignis fatuus

1563, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for ignis fatuus

Medieval Latin, literally, foolish fire

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about ignis fatuus

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