SINCE 1828
ignis fatuus
noun
ig·nis fat·u·us
| \ ˈig-nəs-ˈfa-chə-wəs
, -ˈfach-wəs\
, -ˈfach-wəs\
plural ignes fatui\ ˈig-ˌnēz-ˈfa-chə-ˌwī
\
\
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
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