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.

How malignantly must this strange ignis fatuus, thought he, dance into the nightly conflict of all these clashing relations!

From Titan: A Romance Vol. II (of 2) by Jean Paul

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

Nor he, nor any of the brave Plantagenets ever came to Ireland, for they were pursuing an ignis fatuus in France, instead of attending to their own business at home.

From My Lords of Strogue, Vol. I (of III) A Chronicle of Ireland, from the Convention to the Union by Wingfield, Lewis

What shells would he not have expended upon the poor ignis fatuus!

From Memoirs of the Extraordinary Military Career of John Shipp Late a Lieut. in His Majesty's 87th Regiment by Shipp, John

Diogenes is not the only man whose disturbed digestion has led multitudes, like an ignis fatuus, into the bogs and marshes of falsehood.

From Harper's New Monthly Magazine Vol. IV, No. 19, Dec 1851 by Various