ignis fatuus

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Are we following an ignis fatuus in setting it up as the panacea for the defects of our communities?

From Problems in Greek history by Mahaffy, John Pentland

Love is not the offspring of an hour or a day, nor is it the ignis fatuus which plays about the brain, and disturbs the sleep of the youth and the maiden in their teens.

From Wilson's Tales of the Borders and of Scotland, Vol. 9 by Various

The Friar’s lantern is the ignis fatuus, or will-o’-the-wisp, fabled to lead men into dangerous marshes.

From Minor Poems by Milton by Milton, John

Blinded by his ill-starred idolatry, he had abandoned even the dignity of concealing it; and followed his ignis fatuus about—constantly forcing his company upon her in a manner that rendered him ridiculous.

From The Finger of Fate A Romance by Reid, Mayne

It is a proteus that changes its shape before one can describe it —an ignis fatuus, that changes its place before one can get his hand on it.

From Calvinistic Controversy Embracing a Sermon on Predestination and Election and Several Numbers, Formally Published in the Christian Advocate and Journal. by Fisk, Wilbur