ˈ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷ noun
Etymology: need (I) + fire
: a purificatory fire traditionally kindled usually by friction of dry wood in time of distress (as during a cattle plague) in the belief that it would ward off evil spirits ; specifically : the fire lighted on the night of St. John the Baptist's Day (June 24) to ward off sickness and ill luck — compare saint john's fire