English
ignis fatuus
Ignis fatuus comes from New Latin ignis fatuus.
- New Latinc. 1500–1900ignis fatuusliterally ‘foolish fire’
- Englishearliest quotation 1624same form
attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed
Lineage
- New Latinc. 1500–1900ignis fatuusliterally ‘foolish fire’
- Englishearliest quotation 1624same form
Earliest quotation: 1624, Democritus Junior pseudonym; Robert Burt, The Anatomy of Melancholy: […]: “Fiery spirits or devils are such as commonly work…”
Every English word from New Latin ignis fatuus
Today it means
noun A will o' the wisp.
Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.
Etymograph / New Latin ignis fatuus / ignis fatuus