chain lightning

noun

1. Chiefly Northeastern and Western U.S. lightning that seems to move very quickly in wavy or zigzag lines.
2. bead lightning.

chain lightning

noun

1. See forked lightning
   another name for forked lightning

Word History and Origins

Origin of chain lightning¹

An Americanism dating back to 1825–35

Example Sentences

I gathered another impression, and it was that bonefish were related to dynamite and chain lightning.

From Project Gutenberg

Wilson at full is simply chain lightning, and the whole country will be talking of him by November.

From Project Gutenberg

I could see their every movement, and it seemed to me that the chain lightning was striking the iron-stone all round them.

From Project Gutenberg

Overhead the storm burst in fury, and flash after flash of fork, or rather chain lightning, leapt into the river.

From Project Gutenberg

He did the job up pretty well, considering; and as for your Thad, he's chain lightning on the send.

From Project Gutenberg