See will o' the wisp in All languages combined, or Wiktionary
Download JSON data for will o' the wisp meaning in English (19.6kB)
{
"etymology_templates": [
{
"args": {
"1": "en",
"2": "Will",
"3": "",
"4": "male given name"
},
"expansion": "Will (“male given name”)",
"name": "m"
},
{
"args": {
"1": "en",
"2": "of"
},
"expansion": "of",
"name": "m"
},
{
"args": {
"1": "en",
"2": "the"
},
"expansion": "the",
"name": "m"
},
{
"args": {
"1": "en",
"2": "wisp",
"3": "",
"4": "bundle of straw or hay used as a torch"
},
"expansion": "wisp (“bundle of straw or hay used as a torch”)",
"name": "m"
}
],
"etymology_text": "Will (“male given name”) + of + the + wisp (“bundle of straw or hay used as a torch”)",
"forms": [
{
"form": "will o' the wisps",
"tags": [
"plural"
]
}
],
"head_templates": [
{
"args": {
"head": "will o' the wisp"
},
"expansion": "will o' the wisp (plural will o' the wisps)",
"name": "en-noun"
}
],
"lang": "English",
"lang_code": "en",
"pos": "noun",
"senses": [
{
"categories": [
{
"kind": "other",
"name": "British English",
"parents": [],
"source": "w"
},
{
"kind": "topical",
"langcode": "en",
"name": "Folklore",
"orig": "en:Folklore",
"parents": [
"Culture",
"Society",
"All topics",
"Fundamental"
],
"source": "w"
},
{
"_dis": "49 51",
"kind": "other",
"name": "English entries with incorrect language header",
"parents": [
"Entries with incorrect language header",
"Entry maintenance"
],
"source": "w+disamb"
},
{
"_dis": "45 55",
"kind": "other",
"name": "English entries with language name categories using raw markup",
"parents": [
"Entries with language name categories using raw markup",
"Entry maintenance"
],
"source": "w+disamb"
},
{
"_dis": "53 47",
"kind": "other",
"name": "English terms with non-redundant non-automated sortkeys",
"parents": [
"Terms with non-redundant non-automated sortkeys",
"Entry maintenance"
],
"source": "w+disamb"
},
{
"_dis": "68 32",
"kind": "topical",
"langcode": "en",
"name": "Light sources",
"orig": "en:Light sources",
"parents": [
"Light",
"Energy",
"Nature",
"All topics",
"Fundamental"
],
"source": "w+disamb"
}
],
"examples": [
{
"text": "1988, Michael Weikath, \"Keeper of the Seven Keys\", Helloween, Keeper of the Seven Keys: Part II.\nWill o' the wisps / Misguiding your path / You can't throw a curse / Without takin' their wrath",
"type": "quotation"
}
],
"glosses": [
"A flickering light or lantern, especially over bogs, swamps or marshes, held by a supernatural creature who uses it to lure travelers at night to their demise."
],
"id": "en-will_o'_the_wisp-en-noun-CnYPs3OB",
"links": [
[
"folklore",
"folklore"
]
],
"raw_glosses": [
"(British folklore) A flickering light or lantern, especially over bogs, swamps or marshes, held by a supernatural creature who uses it to lure travelers at night to their demise."
],
"related": [
{
"_dis1": "88 12",
"word": "Min Min light"
}
],
"synonyms": [
{
"_dis1": "100 0",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "marsh light"
},
{
"_dis1": "100 0",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "ignis fatuus"
},
{
"_dis1": "100 0",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "spooklights"
},
{
"_dis1": "100 0",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "ghost lights"
},
{
"_dis1": "100 0",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "nightfire"
},
{
"_dis1": "100 0",
"english": "west Country dialect",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "hinkypunk"
},
{
"_dis1": "100 0",
"sense": "strange light",
"tags": [
"US"
],
"word": "jack o'lantern"
},
{
"_dis1": "100 0",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "walking fire"
},
{
"_dis1": "100 0",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "friar's lantern"
},
{
"_dis1": "71 29",
"word": "will-o'-the-wisp"
},
{
"_dis1": "71 29",
"word": "will-o'-wisp"
},
{
"_dis1": "71 29",
"word": "will of the wisp"
},
{
"_dis1": "71 29",
"word": "will-in-the-wisp"
},
{
"_dis1": "71 29",
"word": "Will-with-the-wisp"
}
],
"tags": [
"British"
],
"topics": [
"arts",
"folklore",
"history",
"human-sciences",
"literature",
"media",
"publishing",
"sciences"
],
"translations": [
{
"_dis1": "100 0",
"code": "af",
"lang": "Afrikaans",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "dwaallig"
},
{
"_dis1": "100 0",
"code": "ar",
"lang": "Arabic",
"roman": "alwahj almustanqey",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "الوَهْج المُسْتَنْقعيّ"
},
{
"_dis1": "100 0",
"code": "ar",
"lang": "Arabic",
"roman": "alnaar alhamqa'",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "النار الحمقاء"
},
{
"_dis1": "100 0",
"code": "as",
"lang": "Assamese",
"roman": "dhonguloi",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "ধনগুলৈ"
},
{
"_dis1": "100 0",
"code": "eu",
"lang": "Basque",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "sutxakurra"
},
{
"_dis1": "100 0",
"code": "eu",
"lang": "Basque",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "argi-txakurra"
},
{
"_dis1": "100 0",
"code": "eu",
"lang": "Basque",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "arima-argia"
},
{
"_dis1": "100 0",
"code": "bn",
"lang": "Bengali",
"roman": "aleẏa",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "আলেয়া"
},
{
"_dis1": "100 0",
"code": "bcl",
"lang": "Bikol Central",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "santilmo"
},
{
"_dis1": "100 0",
"code": "bg",
"lang": "Bulgarian",
"roman": "bluždaeštijat plamǎk",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "блуждаещият пламък"
},
{
"_dis1": "100 0",
"code": "bg",
"lang": "Bulgarian",
"roman": "zlovešto sijanie",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "зловещо сияние"
},
{
"_dis1": "100 0",
"code": "ca",
"lang": "Catalan",
"sense": "strange light",
"tags": [
"masculine"
],
"word": "foc follet"
},
{
"_dis1": "100 0",
"code": "cmn",
"lang": "Chinese Mandarin",
"roman": "guǐhuǒ",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "鬼火"
},
{
"_dis1": "100 0",
"code": "cs",
"lang": "Czech",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "bludička"
},
{
"_dis1": "100 0",
"code": "da",
"lang": "Danish",
"sense": "strange light",
"tags": [
"common-gender"
],
"word": "lygtemand"
},
{
"_dis1": "100 0",
"code": "nl",
"lang": "Dutch",
"sense": "strange light",
"tags": [
"masculine"
],
"word": "dwaallicht"
},
{
"_dis1": "100 0",
"code": "eo",
"lang": "Esperanto",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "vaglumo"
},
{
"_dis1": "100 0",
"code": "eo",
"lang": "Esperanto",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "erarlumo"
},
{
"_dis1": "100 0",
"code": "et",
"lang": "Estonian",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "virvatuli"
},
{
"_dis1": "100 0",
"code": "fi",
"lang": "Finnish",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "virvatuli"
},
{
"_dis1": "100 0",
"code": "fi",
"lang": "Finnish",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "aarretuli"
},
{
"_dis1": "100 0",
"code": "fi",
"lang": "Finnish",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "aarnituli"
},
{
"_dis1": "100 0",
"code": "fi",
"lang": "Finnish",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "aarnivalkea"
},
{
"_dis1": "100 0",
"code": "fr",
"lang": "French",
"sense": "strange light",
"tags": [
"masculine"
],
"word": "feu follet"
},
{
"_dis1": "100 0",
"code": "fur",
"lang": "Friulian",
"sense": "strange light",
"tags": [
"masculine"
],
"word": "fûc voladi"
},
{
"_dis1": "100 0",
"code": "gl",
"lang": "Galician",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "fogo fatuo"
},
{
"_dis1": "100 0",
"code": "ka",
"lang": "Georgian",
"roman": "ctomili ali",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "ცთომილი ალი"
},
{
"_dis1": "100 0",
"code": "ka",
"lang": "Georgian",
"roman": "cdomili ali",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "ცდომილი ალი"
},
{
"_dis1": "100 0",
"code": "ka",
"lang": "Georgian",
"roman": "cdomili sinatle",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "ცდომილი სინათლე"
},
{
"_dis1": "100 0",
"code": "ka",
"lang": "Georgian",
"roman": "ctomili sinatle",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "ცთომილი სინათლე"
},
{
"_dis1": "100 0",
"code": "ka",
"lang": "Georgian",
"roman": "ctomili šuki",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "ცთომილი შუქი"
},
{
"_dis1": "100 0",
"code": "ka",
"lang": "Georgian",
"roman": "cdomili šuki",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "ცდომილი შუქი"
},
{
"_dis1": "100 0",
"code": "de",
"lang": "German",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "Irrlicht"
},
{
"_dis1": "100 0",
"code": "de",
"lang": "German",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "Sumpflichter"
},
{
"_dis1": "100 0",
"code": "de",
"lang": "German",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "Irrwisch"
},
{
"_dis1": "100 0",
"code": "de",
"lang": "German",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "Sumpflicht"
},
{
"_dis1": "100 0",
"code": "he",
"lang": "Hebrew",
"roman": "or mat'é",
"sense": "strange light",
"tags": [
"masculine"
],
"word": "אוֹר מַטְעֶה"
},
{
"_dis1": "100 0",
"code": "he",
"lang": "Hebrew",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "ויל-או'-דה-ויספ"
},
{
"_dis1": "100 0",
"code": "he",
"lang": "Hebrew",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "ויל-או-ויס"
},
{
"_dis1": "100 0",
"code": "hu",
"lang": "Hungarian",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "lidérc"
},
{
"_dis1": "100 0",
"code": "hu",
"lang": "Hungarian",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "lidércfény"
},
{
"_dis1": "100 0",
"code": "hu",
"lang": "Hungarian",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "bolygótűz"
},
{
"_dis1": "100 0",
"code": "is",
"lang": "Icelandic",
"sense": "strange light",
"tags": [
"masculine"
],
"word": "hrævareldur"
},
{
"_dis1": "100 0",
"code": "ga",
"lang": "Irish",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "tine ghealáin"
},
{
"_dis1": "100 0",
"code": "it",
"lang": "Italian",
"sense": "strange light",
"tags": [
"masculine"
],
"word": "fuoco fatuo"
},
{
"_dis1": "100 0",
"code": "ja",
"lang": "Japanese",
"roman": "onibi",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "鬼火"
},
{
"_dis1": "100 0",
"code": "ja",
"lang": "Japanese",
"roman": "wiru-o-wisupu",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "ウィルオウィスプ"
},
{
"_dis1": "100 0",
"code": "ja",
"lang": "Japanese",
"roman": "wiru ō za wisupu",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "ウィル・オー・ザ・ウィスプ"
},
{
"_dis1": "100 0",
"code": "ko",
"lang": "Korean",
"roman": "dokkaebibul",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "도깨비불"
},
{
"_dis1": "100 0",
"code": "ko",
"lang": "Korean",
"roman": "wirodeowiseupeu",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "윌오더위스프"
},
{
"_dis1": "100 0",
"code": "la",
"lang": "Latin",
"sense": "strange light",
"tags": [
"Medieval-Latin",
"masculine"
],
"word": "ignis fatuus"
},
{
"_dis1": "100 0",
"code": "la",
"lang": "Latin",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "ignis erraticus"
},
{
"_dis1": "100 0",
"code": "lv",
"lang": "Latvian",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "malduguns"
},
{
"_dis1": "100 0",
"code": "lt",
"lang": "Lithuanian",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "žaltvykslė"
},
{
"_dis1": "100 0",
"code": "lt",
"lang": "Lithuanian",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "pelkių ugnis"
},
{
"_dis1": "100 0",
"code": "lmo",
"lang": "Lombard",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "foeugh arz"
},
{
"_dis1": "100 0",
"code": "lmo",
"lang": "Lombard",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "fogazzoeu"
},
{
"_dis1": "100 0",
"code": "lmo",
"lang": "Lombard",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "foeugh senza foeugh"
},
{
"_dis1": "100 0",
"code": "lmo",
"lang": "Lombard",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "fiammei"
},
{
"_dis1": "100 0",
"code": "lmo",
"lang": "Lombard",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "fiamminn"
},
{
"_dis1": "100 0",
"code": "lmo",
"lang": "Lombard",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "fana"
},
{
"_dis1": "100 0",
"code": "nds-de",
"lang": "Low German",
"sense": "strange light",
"tags": [
"German-Low-German"
],
"word": "Spöklicht"
},
{
"_dis1": "100 0",
"code": "nds-de",
"lang": "Low German",
"sense": "strange light",
"tags": [
"German-Low-German"
],
"word": "Dodenlücht"
},
{
"_dis1": "100 0",
"code": "ms",
"lang": "Malay",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "jerambang"
},
{
"_dis1": "100 0",
"code": "mi",
"lang": "Maori",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "tūtutupo"
},
{
"_dis1": "100 0",
"code": "mi",
"lang": "Maori",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "unahiroa"
},
{
"_dis1": "100 0",
"code": "nrf",
"lang": "Norman",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "bélengi"
},
{
"_dis1": "100 0",
"code": "nrf",
"lang": "Norman",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "veue d'aventuthe"
},
{
"_dis1": "100 0",
"code": "no",
"lang": "Norwegian",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "lyktemann"
},
{
"_dis1": "100 0",
"code": "no",
"lang": "Norwegian",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "irrlys"
},
{
"_dis1": "100 0",
"code": "no",
"lang": "Norwegian",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "vettelys"
},
{
"_dis1": "100 0",
"code": "no",
"lang": "Norwegian",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "alvelys"
},
{
"_dis1": "100 0",
"code": "oc",
"lang": "Occitan",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "fuòc folet"
},
{
"_dis1": "100 0",
"code": "ps",
"lang": "Pashto",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "اګیا بیتال"
},
{
"_dis1": "100 0",
"code": "ps",
"lang": "Pashto",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "چیهلوا"
},
{
"_dis1": "100 0",
"code": "fa",
"lang": "Persian",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "روشنایی مرداب"
},
{
"_dis1": "100 0",
"code": "pdt",
"lang": "Plautdietsch",
"sense": "strange light",
"tags": [
"neuter"
],
"word": "Woselicht"
},
{
"_dis1": "100 0",
"code": "pl",
"lang": "Polish",
"sense": "strange light",
"tags": [
"masculine"
],
"word": "ognik"
},
{
"_dis1": "100 0",
"code": "pl",
"lang": "Polish",
"sense": "strange light",
"tags": [
"masculine"
],
"word": "błędny ognik"
},
{
"_dis1": "100 0",
"code": "pt",
"lang": "Portuguese",
"sense": "strange light",
"tags": [
"masculine"
],
"word": "fogo-fátuo"
},
{
"_dis1": "100 0",
"code": "pt",
"lang": "Portuguese",
"sense": "strange light",
"tags": [
"masculine"
],
"word": "fogo tolo"
},
{
"_dis1": "100 0",
"code": "pt",
"lang": "Portuguese",
"sense": "strange light",
"tags": [
"Brazil",
"masculine"
],
"word": "fogo corredor"
},
{
"_dis1": "100 0",
"code": "pt",
"lang": "Portuguese",
"sense": "strange light",
"tags": [
"Brazil",
"masculine"
],
"word": "João Galafoice"
},
{
"_dis1": "100 0",
"code": "pt",
"lang": "Portuguese",
"sense": "strange light",
"tags": [
"Brazil",
"masculine"
],
"word": "boitatá"
},
{
"_dis1": "100 0",
"code": "rom",
"lang": "Romani",
"sense": "strange light",
"tags": [
"feminine"
],
"word": "choxãnêski-vyedyáriya"
},
{
"_dis1": "100 0",
"code": "ro",
"lang": "Romanian",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "focul rătăcitor"
},
{
"_dis1": "100 0",
"code": "ru",
"lang": "Russian",
"roman": "bluždájuščij ogonjók",
"sense": "strange light",
"tags": [
"masculine"
],
"word": "блужда́ющий огонёк"
},
{
"_dis1": "100 0",
"code": "sc",
"lang": "Sardinian",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "fogu de campusantu"
},
{
"_dis1": "100 0",
"code": "sc",
"lang": "Sardinian",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "ziròne"
},
{
"_dis1": "100 0",
"code": "sc",
"lang": "Sardinian",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "focu de sas animas"
},
{
"_dis1": "100 0",
"code": "sh",
"lang": "Serbo-Croatian",
"sense": "strange light",
"tags": [
"Cyrillic",
"masculine"
],
"word": "дивљи огањ"
},
{
"_dis1": "100 0",
"code": "sh",
"lang": "Serbo-Croatian",
"sense": "strange light",
"tags": [
"Roman",
"masculine"
],
"word": "divlji oganj"
},
{
"_dis1": "100 0",
"code": "sk",
"lang": "Slovak",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "bludička"
},
{
"_dis1": "100 0",
"code": "sk",
"lang": "Slovak",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "svetlonos"
},
{
"_dis1": "100 0",
"code": "sl",
"lang": "Slovene",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "varljivo svetlikanje"
},
{
"_dis1": "100 0",
"code": "sl",
"lang": "Slovene",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "nepojasnjeni ogenj"
},
{
"_dis1": "100 0",
"code": "dsb",
"lang": "Lower Sorbian",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "błudnik"
},
{
"_dis1": "100 0",
"code": "hsb",
"lang": "Upper Sorbian",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "błudnička"
},
{
"_dis1": "100 0",
"code": "es",
"lang": "Spanish",
"sense": "strange light",
"tags": [
"masculine"
],
"word": "fuego fatuo"
},
{
"_dis1": "100 0",
"code": "es",
"lang": "Spanish",
"sense": "strange light",
"tags": [
"Costa-Rica",
"feminine",
"plural"
],
"word": "luces de muerto"
},
{
"_dis1": "100 0",
"code": "sv",
"lang": "Swedish",
"sense": "strange light",
"tags": [
"neuter"
],
"word": "irrbloss"
},
{
"_dis1": "100 0",
"code": "sv",
"lang": "Swedish",
"sense": "strange light",
"tags": [
"common-gender"
],
"word": "lyktgubbe"
},
{
"_dis1": "100 0",
"code": "tr",
"lang": "Turkish",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "bataklık ışığı"
},
{
"_dis1": "100 0",
"code": "tr",
"lang": "Turkish",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "bataklık yakamozu"
},
{
"_dis1": "100 0",
"code": "uk",
"lang": "Ukrainian",
"roman": "vohnyky mandrivni",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "вогники мандрівні"
},
{
"_dis1": "100 0",
"code": "uk",
"lang": "Ukrainian",
"roman": "blukajuči vohni",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "блукаючі вогні"
},
{
"_dis1": "100 0",
"code": "uk",
"lang": "Ukrainian",
"roman": "mandrivni vohni",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "мандрівні вогні"
},
{
"_dis1": "100 0",
"code": "uk",
"lang": "Ukrainian",
"roman": "blymavky",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "блимавки"
},
{
"_dis1": "100 0",
"code": "ur",
"lang": "Urdu",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "اگیا بیتال"
},
{
"_dis1": "100 0",
"code": "ur",
"lang": "Urdu",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "چھلاوا"
},
{
"_dis1": "100 0",
"code": "vi",
"lang": "Vietnamese",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "ma trơi"
},
{
"_dis1": "100 0",
"code": "vls",
"lang": "West Flemish",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "dwoalluchtn"
},
{
"_dis1": "100 0",
"code": "vls",
"lang": "West Flemish",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "dwoasluchtn"
}
]
},
{
"categories": [
{
"_dis": "49 51",
"kind": "other",
"name": "English entries with incorrect language header",
"parents": [
"Entries with incorrect language header",
"Entry maintenance"
],
"source": "w+disamb"
},
{
"_dis": "45 55",
"kind": "other",
"name": "English entries with language name categories using raw markup",
"parents": [
"Entries with language name categories using raw markup",
"Entry maintenance"
],
"source": "w+disamb"
},
{
"_dis": "53 47",
"kind": "other",
"name": "English terms with non-redundant non-automated sortkeys",
"parents": [
"Terms with non-redundant non-automated sortkeys",
"Entry maintenance"
],
"source": "w+disamb"
}
],
"examples": [
{
"ref": "1951 May, R. K. Kirkland, “The Cavan & Leitrim Railway”, in Railway Magazine, page 345",
"text": "Some preliminary legal arrangements were made, but the scheme proceeded no further, as the various local authorities concerned were unwilling to speculate public funds on what was, even at that date, a will o' the wisp.",
"type": "quotation"
},
{
"ref": "1992 March 2, Richard Preston, “The Mountains of Pi”, in The New Yorker",
"text": "I happen to think the brothers’ pi project is a will-o’-the-wisp, and is one of the least interesting things they’ve ever done. But what do I know?",
"type": "quotation"
}
],
"glosses": [
"A delusionary or otherwise unachievable goal that one feels compelled to pursue."
],
"id": "en-will_o'_the_wisp-en-noun-0by6-TWB",
"links": [
[
"delusionary",
"delusionary"
],
[
"unachievable",
"unachievable"
],
[
"goal",
"goal"
],
[
"compel",
"compel"
]
],
"raw_glosses": [
"(idiomatic) A delusionary or otherwise unachievable goal that one feels compelled to pursue."
],
"tags": [
"idiomatic"
],
"translations": [
{
"_dis1": "24 76",
"code": "nl",
"lang": "Dutch",
"sense": "delusionary goal",
"tags": [
"masculine"
],
"word": "hersenschim"
},
{
"_dis1": "24 76",
"code": "fi",
"lang": "Finnish",
"sense": "delusionary goal",
"word": "virvatuli"
},
{
"_dis1": "24 76",
"code": "fr",
"lang": "French",
"sense": "delusionary goal",
"tags": [
"masculine"
],
"word": "miroir aux alouettes"
},
{
"_dis1": "24 76",
"code": "it",
"lang": "Italian",
"sense": "delusionary goal",
"tags": [
"masculine"
],
"word": "fuoco fatuo"
},
{
"_dis1": "24 76",
"code": "pt",
"lang": "Portuguese",
"sense": "delusionary goal",
"tags": [
"feminine"
],
"word": "quimera"
},
{
"_dis1": "24 76",
"code": "sv",
"lang": "Swedish",
"sense": "delusionary goal",
"tags": [
"neuter"
],
"word": "bländverk"
}
]
}
],
"sounds": [
{
"ipa": "/ˌwɪləðəˈwɪsp/",
"tags": [
"US"
]
},
{
"audio": "En-au-will o' the wisp.ogg",
"mp3_url": "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/transcoded/6/6d/En-au-will_o%27_the_wisp.ogg/En-au-will_o%27_the_wisp.ogg.mp3",
"ogg_url": "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6d/En-au-will_o%27_the_wisp.ogg",
"tags": [
"Australia"
],
"text": "Audio (AU)"
}
],
"wikipedia": [
"will o' the wisp"
],
"word": "will o' the wisp"
}
{
"categories": [
"English contractions",
"English countable nouns",
"English entries with incorrect language header",
"English entries with language name categories using raw markup",
"English lemmas",
"English multiword terms",
"English nouns",
"English terms with IPA pronunciation",
"English terms with audio links",
"English terms with non-redundant non-automated sortkeys",
"en:Light sources"
],
"etymology_templates": [
{
"args": {
"1": "en",
"2": "Will",
"3": "",
"4": "male given name"
},
"expansion": "Will (“male given name”)",
"name": "m"
},
{
"args": {
"1": "en",
"2": "of"
},
"expansion": "of",
"name": "m"
},
{
"args": {
"1": "en",
"2": "the"
},
"expansion": "the",
"name": "m"
},
{
"args": {
"1": "en",
"2": "wisp",
"3": "",
"4": "bundle of straw or hay used as a torch"
},
"expansion": "wisp (“bundle of straw or hay used as a torch”)",
"name": "m"
}
],
"etymology_text": "Will (“male given name”) + of + the + wisp (“bundle of straw or hay used as a torch”)",
"forms": [
{
"form": "will o' the wisps",
"tags": [
"plural"
]
}
],
"head_templates": [
{
"args": {
"head": "will o' the wisp"
},
"expansion": "will o' the wisp (plural will o' the wisps)",
"name": "en-noun"
}
],
"lang": "English",
"lang_code": "en",
"pos": "noun",
"related": [
{
"word": "Min Min light"
}
],
"senses": [
{
"categories": [
"British English",
"English terms with quotations",
"en:Folklore"
],
"examples": [
{
"text": "1988, Michael Weikath, \"Keeper of the Seven Keys\", Helloween, Keeper of the Seven Keys: Part II.\nWill o' the wisps / Misguiding your path / You can't throw a curse / Without takin' their wrath",
"type": "quotation"
}
],
"glosses": [
"A flickering light or lantern, especially over bogs, swamps or marshes, held by a supernatural creature who uses it to lure travelers at night to their demise."
],
"links": [
[
"folklore",
"folklore"
]
],
"raw_glosses": [
"(British folklore) A flickering light or lantern, especially over bogs, swamps or marshes, held by a supernatural creature who uses it to lure travelers at night to their demise."
],
"tags": [
"British"
],
"topics": [
"arts",
"folklore",
"history",
"human-sciences",
"literature",
"media",
"publishing",
"sciences"
]
},
{
"categories": [
"English idioms",
"English terms with quotations"
],
"examples": [
{
"ref": "1951 May, R. K. Kirkland, “The Cavan & Leitrim Railway”, in Railway Magazine, page 345",
"text": "Some preliminary legal arrangements were made, but the scheme proceeded no further, as the various local authorities concerned were unwilling to speculate public funds on what was, even at that date, a will o' the wisp.",
"type": "quotation"
},
{
"ref": "1992 March 2, Richard Preston, “The Mountains of Pi”, in The New Yorker",
"text": "I happen to think the brothers’ pi project is a will-o’-the-wisp, and is one of the least interesting things they’ve ever done. But what do I know?",
"type": "quotation"
}
],
"glosses": [
"A delusionary or otherwise unachievable goal that one feels compelled to pursue."
],
"links": [
[
"delusionary",
"delusionary"
],
[
"unachievable",
"unachievable"
],
[
"goal",
"goal"
],
[
"compel",
"compel"
]
],
"raw_glosses": [
"(idiomatic) A delusionary or otherwise unachievable goal that one feels compelled to pursue."
],
"tags": [
"idiomatic"
]
}
],
"sounds": [
{
"ipa": "/ˌwɪləðəˈwɪsp/",
"tags": [
"US"
]
},
{
"audio": "En-au-will o' the wisp.ogg",
"mp3_url": "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/transcoded/6/6d/En-au-will_o%27_the_wisp.ogg/En-au-will_o%27_the_wisp.ogg.mp3",
"ogg_url": "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6d/En-au-will_o%27_the_wisp.ogg",
"tags": [
"Australia"
],
"text": "Audio (AU)"
}
],
"synonyms": [
{
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "marsh light"
},
{
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "ignis fatuus"
},
{
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "spooklights"
},
{
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "ghost lights"
},
{
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "nightfire"
},
{
"english": "west Country dialect",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "hinkypunk"
},
{
"sense": "strange light",
"tags": [
"US"
],
"word": "jack o'lantern"
},
{
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "walking fire"
},
{
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "friar's lantern"
},
{
"word": "will-o'-the-wisp"
},
{
"word": "will-o'-wisp"
},
{
"word": "will of the wisp"
},
{
"word": "will-in-the-wisp"
},
{
"word": "Will-with-the-wisp"
}
],
"translations": [
{
"code": "af",
"lang": "Afrikaans",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "dwaallig"
},
{
"code": "ar",
"lang": "Arabic",
"roman": "alwahj almustanqey",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "الوَهْج المُسْتَنْقعيّ"
},
{
"code": "ar",
"lang": "Arabic",
"roman": "alnaar alhamqa'",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "النار الحمقاء"
},
{
"code": "as",
"lang": "Assamese",
"roman": "dhonguloi",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "ধনগুলৈ"
},
{
"code": "eu",
"lang": "Basque",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "sutxakurra"
},
{
"code": "eu",
"lang": "Basque",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "argi-txakurra"
},
{
"code": "eu",
"lang": "Basque",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "arima-argia"
},
{
"code": "bn",
"lang": "Bengali",
"roman": "aleẏa",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "আলেয়া"
},
{
"code": "bcl",
"lang": "Bikol Central",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "santilmo"
},
{
"code": "bg",
"lang": "Bulgarian",
"roman": "bluždaeštijat plamǎk",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "блуждаещият пламък"
},
{
"code": "bg",
"lang": "Bulgarian",
"roman": "zlovešto sijanie",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "зловещо сияние"
},
{
"code": "ca",
"lang": "Catalan",
"sense": "strange light",
"tags": [
"masculine"
],
"word": "foc follet"
},
{
"code": "cmn",
"lang": "Chinese Mandarin",
"roman": "guǐhuǒ",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "鬼火"
},
{
"code": "cs",
"lang": "Czech",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "bludička"
},
{
"code": "da",
"lang": "Danish",
"sense": "strange light",
"tags": [
"common-gender"
],
"word": "lygtemand"
},
{
"code": "nl",
"lang": "Dutch",
"sense": "strange light",
"tags": [
"masculine"
],
"word": "dwaallicht"
},
{
"code": "eo",
"lang": "Esperanto",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "vaglumo"
},
{
"code": "eo",
"lang": "Esperanto",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "erarlumo"
},
{
"code": "et",
"lang": "Estonian",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "virvatuli"
},
{
"code": "fi",
"lang": "Finnish",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "virvatuli"
},
{
"code": "fi",
"lang": "Finnish",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "aarretuli"
},
{
"code": "fi",
"lang": "Finnish",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "aarnituli"
},
{
"code": "fi",
"lang": "Finnish",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "aarnivalkea"
},
{
"code": "fr",
"lang": "French",
"sense": "strange light",
"tags": [
"masculine"
],
"word": "feu follet"
},
{
"code": "fur",
"lang": "Friulian",
"sense": "strange light",
"tags": [
"masculine"
],
"word": "fûc voladi"
},
{
"code": "gl",
"lang": "Galician",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "fogo fatuo"
},
{
"code": "ka",
"lang": "Georgian",
"roman": "ctomili ali",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "ცთომილი ალი"
},
{
"code": "ka",
"lang": "Georgian",
"roman": "cdomili ali",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "ცდომილი ალი"
},
{
"code": "ka",
"lang": "Georgian",
"roman": "cdomili sinatle",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "ცდომილი სინათლე"
},
{
"code": "ka",
"lang": "Georgian",
"roman": "ctomili sinatle",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "ცთომილი სინათლე"
},
{
"code": "ka",
"lang": "Georgian",
"roman": "ctomili šuki",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "ცთომილი შუქი"
},
{
"code": "ka",
"lang": "Georgian",
"roman": "cdomili šuki",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "ცდომილი შუქი"
},
{
"code": "de",
"lang": "German",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "Irrlicht"
},
{
"code": "de",
"lang": "German",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "Sumpflichter"
},
{
"code": "de",
"lang": "German",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "Irrwisch"
},
{
"code": "de",
"lang": "German",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "Sumpflicht"
},
{
"code": "he",
"lang": "Hebrew",
"roman": "or mat'é",
"sense": "strange light",
"tags": [
"masculine"
],
"word": "אוֹר מַטְעֶה"
},
{
"code": "he",
"lang": "Hebrew",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "ויל-או'-דה-ויספ"
},
{
"code": "he",
"lang": "Hebrew",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "ויל-או-ויס"
},
{
"code": "hu",
"lang": "Hungarian",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "lidérc"
},
{
"code": "hu",
"lang": "Hungarian",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "lidércfény"
},
{
"code": "hu",
"lang": "Hungarian",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "bolygótűz"
},
{
"code": "is",
"lang": "Icelandic",
"sense": "strange light",
"tags": [
"masculine"
],
"word": "hrævareldur"
},
{
"code": "ga",
"lang": "Irish",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "tine ghealáin"
},
{
"code": "it",
"lang": "Italian",
"sense": "strange light",
"tags": [
"masculine"
],
"word": "fuoco fatuo"
},
{
"code": "ja",
"lang": "Japanese",
"roman": "onibi",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "鬼火"
},
{
"code": "ja",
"lang": "Japanese",
"roman": "wiru-o-wisupu",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "ウィルオウィスプ"
},
{
"code": "ja",
"lang": "Japanese",
"roman": "wiru ō za wisupu",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "ウィル・オー・ザ・ウィスプ"
},
{
"code": "ko",
"lang": "Korean",
"roman": "dokkaebibul",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "도깨비불"
},
{
"code": "ko",
"lang": "Korean",
"roman": "wirodeowiseupeu",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "윌오더위스프"
},
{
"code": "la",
"lang": "Latin",
"sense": "strange light",
"tags": [
"Medieval-Latin",
"masculine"
],
"word": "ignis fatuus"
},
{
"code": "la",
"lang": "Latin",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "ignis erraticus"
},
{
"code": "lv",
"lang": "Latvian",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "malduguns"
},
{
"code": "lt",
"lang": "Lithuanian",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "žaltvykslė"
},
{
"code": "lt",
"lang": "Lithuanian",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "pelkių ugnis"
},
{
"code": "lmo",
"lang": "Lombard",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "foeugh arz"
},
{
"code": "lmo",
"lang": "Lombard",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "fogazzoeu"
},
{
"code": "lmo",
"lang": "Lombard",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "foeugh senza foeugh"
},
{
"code": "lmo",
"lang": "Lombard",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "fiammei"
},
{
"code": "lmo",
"lang": "Lombard",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "fiamminn"
},
{
"code": "lmo",
"lang": "Lombard",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "fana"
},
{
"code": "nds-de",
"lang": "Low German",
"sense": "strange light",
"tags": [
"German-Low-German"
],
"word": "Spöklicht"
},
{
"code": "nds-de",
"lang": "Low German",
"sense": "strange light",
"tags": [
"German-Low-German"
],
"word": "Dodenlücht"
},
{
"code": "ms",
"lang": "Malay",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "jerambang"
},
{
"code": "mi",
"lang": "Maori",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "tūtutupo"
},
{
"code": "mi",
"lang": "Maori",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "unahiroa"
},
{
"code": "nrf",
"lang": "Norman",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "bélengi"
},
{
"code": "nrf",
"lang": "Norman",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "veue d'aventuthe"
},
{
"code": "no",
"lang": "Norwegian",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "lyktemann"
},
{
"code": "no",
"lang": "Norwegian",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "irrlys"
},
{
"code": "no",
"lang": "Norwegian",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "vettelys"
},
{
"code": "no",
"lang": "Norwegian",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "alvelys"
},
{
"code": "oc",
"lang": "Occitan",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "fuòc folet"
},
{
"code": "ps",
"lang": "Pashto",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "اګیا بیتال"
},
{
"code": "ps",
"lang": "Pashto",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "چیهلوا"
},
{
"code": "fa",
"lang": "Persian",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "روشنایی مرداب"
},
{
"code": "pdt",
"lang": "Plautdietsch",
"sense": "strange light",
"tags": [
"neuter"
],
"word": "Woselicht"
},
{
"code": "pl",
"lang": "Polish",
"sense": "strange light",
"tags": [
"masculine"
],
"word": "ognik"
},
{
"code": "pl",
"lang": "Polish",
"sense": "strange light",
"tags": [
"masculine"
],
"word": "błędny ognik"
},
{
"code": "pt",
"lang": "Portuguese",
"sense": "strange light",
"tags": [
"masculine"
],
"word": "fogo-fátuo"
},
{
"code": "pt",
"lang": "Portuguese",
"sense": "strange light",
"tags": [
"masculine"
],
"word": "fogo tolo"
},
{
"code": "pt",
"lang": "Portuguese",
"sense": "strange light",
"tags": [
"Brazil",
"masculine"
],
"word": "fogo corredor"
},
{
"code": "pt",
"lang": "Portuguese",
"sense": "strange light",
"tags": [
"Brazil",
"masculine"
],
"word": "João Galafoice"
},
{
"code": "pt",
"lang": "Portuguese",
"sense": "strange light",
"tags": [
"Brazil",
"masculine"
],
"word": "boitatá"
},
{
"code": "rom",
"lang": "Romani",
"sense": "strange light",
"tags": [
"feminine"
],
"word": "choxãnêski-vyedyáriya"
},
{
"code": "ro",
"lang": "Romanian",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "focul rătăcitor"
},
{
"code": "ru",
"lang": "Russian",
"roman": "bluždájuščij ogonjók",
"sense": "strange light",
"tags": [
"masculine"
],
"word": "блужда́ющий огонёк"
},
{
"code": "sc",
"lang": "Sardinian",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "fogu de campusantu"
},
{
"code": "sc",
"lang": "Sardinian",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "ziròne"
},
{
"code": "sc",
"lang": "Sardinian",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "focu de sas animas"
},
{
"code": "sh",
"lang": "Serbo-Croatian",
"sense": "strange light",
"tags": [
"Cyrillic",
"masculine"
],
"word": "дивљи огањ"
},
{
"code": "sh",
"lang": "Serbo-Croatian",
"sense": "strange light",
"tags": [
"Roman",
"masculine"
],
"word": "divlji oganj"
},
{
"code": "sk",
"lang": "Slovak",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "bludička"
},
{
"code": "sk",
"lang": "Slovak",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "svetlonos"
},
{
"code": "sl",
"lang": "Slovene",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "varljivo svetlikanje"
},
{
"code": "sl",
"lang": "Slovene",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "nepojasnjeni ogenj"
},
{
"code": "dsb",
"lang": "Lower Sorbian",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "błudnik"
},
{
"code": "hsb",
"lang": "Upper Sorbian",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "błudnička"
},
{
"code": "es",
"lang": "Spanish",
"sense": "strange light",
"tags": [
"masculine"
],
"word": "fuego fatuo"
},
{
"code": "es",
"lang": "Spanish",
"sense": "strange light",
"tags": [
"Costa-Rica",
"feminine",
"plural"
],
"word": "luces de muerto"
},
{
"code": "sv",
"lang": "Swedish",
"sense": "strange light",
"tags": [
"neuter"
],
"word": "irrbloss"
},
{
"code": "sv",
"lang": "Swedish",
"sense": "strange light",
"tags": [
"common-gender"
],
"word": "lyktgubbe"
},
{
"code": "tr",
"lang": "Turkish",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "bataklık ışığı"
},
{
"code": "tr",
"lang": "Turkish",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "bataklık yakamozu"
},
{
"code": "uk",
"lang": "Ukrainian",
"roman": "vohnyky mandrivni",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "вогники мандрівні"
},
{
"code": "uk",
"lang": "Ukrainian",
"roman": "blukajuči vohni",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "блукаючі вогні"
},
{
"code": "uk",
"lang": "Ukrainian",
"roman": "mandrivni vohni",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "мандрівні вогні"
},
{
"code": "uk",
"lang": "Ukrainian",
"roman": "blymavky",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "блимавки"
},
{
"code": "ur",
"lang": "Urdu",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "اگیا بیتال"
},
{
"code": "ur",
"lang": "Urdu",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "چھلاوا"
},
{
"code": "vi",
"lang": "Vietnamese",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "ma trơi"
},
{
"code": "vls",
"lang": "West Flemish",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "dwoalluchtn"
},
{
"code": "vls",
"lang": "West Flemish",
"sense": "strange light",
"word": "dwoasluchtn"
},
{
"code": "nl",
"lang": "Dutch",
"sense": "delusionary goal",
"tags": [
"masculine"
],
"word": "hersenschim"
},
{
"code": "fi",
"lang": "Finnish",
"sense": "delusionary goal",
"word": "virvatuli"
},
{
"code": "fr",
"lang": "French",
"sense": "delusionary goal",
"tags": [
"masculine"
],
"word": "miroir aux alouettes"
},
{
"code": "it",
"lang": "Italian",
"sense": "delusionary goal",
"tags": [
"masculine"
],
"word": "fuoco fatuo"
},
{
"code": "pt",
"lang": "Portuguese",
"sense": "delusionary goal",
"tags": [
"feminine"
],
"word": "quimera"
},
{
"code": "sv",
"lang": "Swedish",
"sense": "delusionary goal",
"tags": [
"neuter"
],
"word": "bländverk"
}
],
"wikipedia": [
"will o' the wisp"
],
"word": "will o' the wisp"
}
This page is a part of the kaikki.org machine-readable English dictionary. This dictionary is based on structured data extracted on 2024-05-05 from the enwiktionary dump dated 2024-05-02 using wiktextract (f4fd8c9 and c9440ce). The data shown on this site has been post-processed and various details (e.g., extra categories) removed, some information disambiguated, and additional data merged from other sources. See the raw data download page for the unprocessed wiktextract data.
If you use this data in academic research, please cite Tatu Ylonen: Wiktextract: Wiktionary as Machine-Readable Structured Data, Proceedings of the 13th Conference on Language Resources and Evaluation (LREC), pp. 1317-1325, Marseille, 20-25 June 2022. Linking to the relevant page(s) under https://kaikki.org would also be greatly appreciated.