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lightning
[ lahyt-ning ]
noun
- a brilliant electric spark discharge in the atmosphere, occurring within a thundercloud, between clouds, or between a cloud and the ground.
verb (used without object)
- to emit a flash or flashes of lightning (often used impersonally with it as subject):
If it starts to lightning, we'd better go inside.
adjective
- of, relating to, or resembling lightning, especially in regard to speed of movement: lightning speed.
lightning flashes;
lightning speed.
lightning
/ ˈlaɪtnɪŋ /
noun
- a flash of light in the sky, occurring during a thunderstorm and caused by a discharge of electricity, either between clouds or between a cloud and the earth fulgurousfulminous
- modifier fast and sudden
a lightning raid
lightning
/ līt′nĭng /
- 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.
Word History and Origins
Origin of lightning1
Word History and Origins
Origin of lightning1
A Closer Look
Idioms and Phrases
- catch lightning in a bottle. catch lightning in a bottle.
More idioms and phrases containing lightning
In addition to the idiom beginning with lightning , also see like greased lightning ; quick as a wink (lightning) .Compare Meanings
How does lightning compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Example Sentences
You have a better chance of being killed by lightning.
They say the victims were attending a church service on Saturday evening when the lightning struck.
She was a lightning rod for criticism by Hollywood workers, particularly during last year’s walkouts.
The agency has long been a lightning rod for Israeli criticism, for example with allegations that the textbooks used in its schools promote hatred of Israel.
However, some have previously warned that the EU's directive will lead to a rise in discarded lightning cables in years to come.
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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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