lightning

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Wikipedia

Contents 1 English 1.1 Etymology 1.2 Pronunciation 1.3 Noun 1.3.1 Translations 1.3.2 Derived terms 1.3.3 Related terms 1.4 Adjective 1.5 Verb 1.5.1 Usage notes

[edit] English

[edit] Etymology

light(e)n + -ing

[edit] Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈlaɪt.nɪŋ/, SAMPA: /"laIt.nIN/
•  Audio (US)^{help, file}

[edit] Noun

Wikipedia

lightning (countable and uncountable; plural lightnings)

1. The flash of light caused by the discharge of atmospheric electrical charge.
2. The discharge of atmospheric electrical charge itself.

   That tree was hit by lightning.

[edit] Translations

[edit] Derived terms

ball lightning Jewish lightning greased lightning lightning bug lightning bolt lightning conductor

lightning detector lightning fast lightning rod lightning round lightning strike sheet lightning

[edit] Related terms

• thunder

[edit] Adjective

lightning (not comparable)

1. Extremely fast or sudden.
2. Moving at the speed of lightning.

[edit] Verb

to lightning (third-person singular simple present lightnings, present participle lightninging, simple past and past participle lightninged)

1. (impersonal, childish or nonstandard) To produce lightning.
   • 1916, Dorothy Canfield Fisher, Understood Betsy

     Or if it thundered and lightninged, Aunt Frances always dropped everything she might be doing and held Elizabeth Ann tightly in her arms until it was all over.

   • 1968, Dan Greenburg, Chewsday: a sex novel

     The next day, though it is not only raining but thundering and lightninging as well, antiquing is seen by three-fourths of those present as a lesser evil than free play.

   • 1987, Tricia Springstubb, Eunice Gottlieb and the unwhitewashed truth about life

     "Hey!" yelled Reggie, pulling her back. "Get in here! It's lightninging. I don't want a charcoal-broiled friend!"

   • 1988, Carlo Collodi, Roberto Innocenti, The adventures of Pinocchio

     I don't know, Father, but believe me, it has been a horrible night — one that I'll never forget. It thundered and lightninged, and I was very hungry.

[edit] Usage notes

• bolt, flash, strike are some of the words used to count lightning.