英:[ˈiɡnisˈfætjuəs]
美:[ˈɪɡnɪsˈfætʃuəs]
英:[ˈiɡnisˈfætjuəs]
美:[ˈɪɡnɪsˈfætʃuəs]
n.
磷火,鬼火
ignes fatui
noun
a light that sometimes appears in the night over marshy ground and is often attributable to the combustion of gas from decomposed organic matter
a deceptive goal or hope
"will o' the wisp, jack-o-lantern," 1560年代,源自中世纪拉丁语,字面意思为“愚蠢的火焰”; 参见 igneous + fatuous。 “它似乎曾经是一种普遍现象,但现在非常罕见” [OED]。
Medieval Latin, literally, foolish fire
The first known use of ignis fatuus was in 1563
1 Several sources say ignis fatuus, a spark of swamp gas, is the likely cause of the strange light.
2 The story also helped explain ignis fatuus, a natural phenomenon that occurs in marshlands and bogs—such as those in Ireland’s countryside—producing flickering lights as gases from decomposing organic matter combust.