| 单词 | will-o-the-wisp |
| 释义 | will-o'-the-wisp (wɪl ə ðə wɪsp) Word forms: plural will-o'-the-wisps countable noun [usually singular] You can refer to someone or something that keeps disappearing or that is impossible to catch or reach as a will-o'-the-wisp. will-o'-the-wisp in British English (ˌwɪləðəˈwɪsp) noun 1. 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 Derived forms will-o'-the-wispish (ˌwill-o'-the-ˈwispish) or will-o'-the-wispy (ˌwill-o'-the-ˈwispy) adjective Word origin 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 torchwill-o'-the-wisp in American English (ˈwɪləðəˈwɪsp) noun 1. jack-o'-lantern (sense 1) 2. any hope or goal that leads one on but is impossible to reach Word origin earlier Will with the wisp < Will (nickname for William1) + wispExamples of 'will-o'-the-wisp' in a sentence |
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