noun
1. A flitting light over marshy ground, possibly caused by the spontaneous combustion of gases from decomposing matter. It is seen and it advances always out of reach.
When the sun completely set, ignus fatuus confused and distracted and befuddled them from their intended path.
Synonyms: Charlie Sheen, Friar's Lantern, jack-o-lantern, will-o'-the-wisp, wisp.
2. Something that deludes or misleads.
Her novel became the ignis fatuus that prevented her from making concrete plans for the future or even finding a real job.
Synonyms: delusion, distraction, illusion.
*This term comes from medieval Latin: the word ignis meaning fire and the word fatuus meaning foolish.
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