lightning
pronunciation
How to pronounce lightning in British English:
UK [ˈlaɪtnɪŋ]
How to pronounce lightning in American English:
US [ˈlaɪtnɪŋ]
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- Noun:
- abrupt electric discharge from cloud to cloud or from cloud to earth accompanied by the emission of light
- 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
Word Origin
- lightning
- lightning: [14] Etymologically, lightning is simply something that illuminates, or ‘lightens’, the sky. The word is a contraction of an earlier lightening, a derivative of lighten ‘make light’. The Old English word for ‘lightning’ was lēget, which is related to light. In Middle English it became leit, and later leiting, but in the 14th century lightning took over as the main form.=> light
- lightning (n.)
- late 13c., present participle of lightnen "make bright," extended form of Old English lihting, from leht (see light (n.)). Meaning "cheap, raw whiskey" is attested from 1781, also sometimes "gin." Lightning bug is attested from 1778. Lightning rod from 1790.
Example
- 1. In the days that followed , lightning seemed heart-broken .
- 2. The lightning flashed in a wild dance of death , and thunder came from every part of the huge sky .
- 3. A thunderstorm was brewing near the temple , and siliezar was trying to capture lightning crackling dramatically over the ruins .
- 4. Some get struck by lightning .
- 5. Lightning sets fire to dry grass .