foxfire

[ foks-fahyuh r ]

/ ˈfɒksˌfaɪər /

organic luminescence, especially from certain fungi on decaying wood.

any of various fungi causing luminescence in decaying wood.

Origin of foxfire

late Middle English word dating back to 1425–75; see origin at fox, fire

foxberry, foxborough, foxe, foxe basin, foxed, foxfire, foxglove, foxhole, foxhound, foxie, foxing

It was very marked 93 ; as decided a phosphorescence as that of the fire-fly, or the fox-fire of the Virginia meadows.

Adrift in the Arctic Ice Pack |Elisha Kent Kane
The country people are familiar with the sight of it in wild timber-land, and have given it the name of 'Fox-fire.'

The Guardian Angel |Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.
Are there passages which burn with real fire—not punk, fox-fire, make believe?

The Letters Of Mark Twain, Volume 5, 1901-1906 |Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens)
Fox-fire is occasionally put to a cruel utility by hunters in association with the "salt-lick" for deer.

Eye Spy |William Hamilton Gibson

The more common examples of fox-fire are small bits of decayed wood, but most astonishing specimens have been observed.

Eye Spy |William Hamilton Gibson

foxfire

/ (ˈfɒksˌfaɪə) /

a luminescent glow emitted by certain fungi on rotting wood See also bioluminescence