Lightning Definition

lītnĭng
lightnings
noun
An abrupt, discontinuous natural electric discharge in the atmosphere.
American Heritage
A flash, or series of flashes, of light in the sky caused by the discharge of atmospheric electricity from one cloud to another or between a cloud and the earth.
Webster's New World
Such a discharge of electricity.
Webster's New World
A sudden, usually improbable stroke of fortune.
American Heritage
(figuratively) Anything that moves very fast.
Wiktionary
Synonyms:
verb
To give off such a discharge.
Webster's New World
(impersonal, childish or nonstandard) To produce lightning.
Wiktionary
Synonyms:
adjective
Like lightning, as in being rapid or instantaneous.
A cat's lightning reflexes.
Webster's New World
Moving or occurring with remarkable speed or suddenness.
American Heritage

Extremely fast or sudden.

Wiktionary
Synonyms:

Origin of Lightning

  • Middle English gerund of lightnen to illuminate from lighten from Old English līhtan leuk- in Indo-European roots

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • light(e)n + -ing

    From Wiktionary

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