lightning

light·ning  (ltnng)

n.

1.

a. An abrupt, discontinuous natural electric discharge in the atmosphere.

b. The visible flash of light accompanying such a discharge.

2. Informal A sudden, usually improbable stroke of fortune.

intr.v. light·ninged (-nngd), light·ning, light·nings

To discharge a flash of lightning.

adj.

Moving or occurring with remarkable speed or suddenness.

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[Middle English, gerund of lightnen, to illuminate, from lighten, from Old English lhtan; see leuk- in Indo-European roots.]

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lightning

Noun

a flash of light in the sky caused by a discharge of electricity

Adjective

fast and sudden: a lightning attack [variant of lightening]

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lightning  (ltnng) A flash of light in the sky caused by an electrical discharge between clouds or between a cloud and the Earth's surface. The flash heats the air and usually causes thunder. Lightning may appear as a jagged streak, as a bright sheet, or in rare cases, as a glowing red ball. A Closer Look As storm clouds develop, the temperature at the top of the cloud becomes much cooler than that at the bottom. For reasons that scientists still do not understand, this temperature difference results in the accumulation of negatively charged particles near the base and positively charged particles near the top of the storm cloud. The negatively charged particles repel the electrons of atoms in nearby objects, such as the bases of other storm clouds or tall objects on the ground. Consequently, these nearby objects take on a positive charge. The difference in charge, or voltage, builds until an electric current starts to flow between the objects along a pathway of charged atoms in the air. The current flow heats up the air to such a degree that it glows, generating lightning. Initially, a bolt of lightning carrying a negative charge darts from one storm cloud to another or from a storm cloud to the ground, leaving the bottom of the cloud with a positive charge. In response, a second bolt (reverse lightning) shoots in the opposite direction (from the other storm cloud or the ground) as the mass of negative charges on it moves back to neutralize the positive charge on the bottom of the first cloud. The heat generated by the lightning causes the air to expand, in turn creating very large sound waves, or thunder.

lightning

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Lightning

See also atmosphere; clouds; rain; thunder; weather.

astraphobia, astrapophobia

an abnormal fear of lightning.

keraunography, ceraunography

the recording of occurrences of lightning and thunder on a time scale attached to a revolving drum. — keraunograph, n. — keraunographic, adj.

keraunophobia, ceraunophobia

an abnormal fear of thunder and lightning.

keraunoscopia, ceraunoscopia, keraunoscopy

a form of divination involving thunder and lightning.

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	lightning - abrupt electric discharge from cloud to cloud or from cloud to earth accompanied by the emission of light chain lightning, forked lightning - a form of lightning that moves rapidly in a zigzag path with one end divided (fork-like) atmospheric electricity - electrical discharges in the atmosphere bolt, bolt of lightning, thunderbolt - a discharge of lightning accompanied by thunder
	2.	lightning - the flash of light that accompanies an electric discharge in the atmosphere (or something resembling such a flash); can scintillate for a second or more flash - a sudden intense burst of radiant energy heat lightning - bright flashes of light near the horizon without thunder (especially on hot evenings); usually attributed to distant lightning that is reflected by clouds sheet lighting - lightning that appears as a broad sheet; due to reflections of more distant lightning and to diffusion by the clouds

Translations

lightning [ˈlaɪtnɪŋ] n → relámpago, rayo

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lightning [ˈlaɪtnɪŋ] n → foudre f (= flash); éclair m

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lightning [ˈlaɪtnɪŋ] n → Blitz m

adj (attack etc) → Blitz-;

with lightning speed → blitzschnell

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lightning [ˈlaɪtnɪŋ] n → lampo, fulmine m;

a flash of lightning → un lampo, un fulmine