lightning

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Contents

[edit] English

[edit] Etymology

light(e)n + -ing

[edit] Pronunciation

[edit] Noun

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Singular
lightning

Plural
countable and uncountable; plural lightnings

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

[edit] Related terms

[edit] Adjective

lightning (not comparable)

Positive
lightning

Comparative
not comparable

Superlative
none (absolute)

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

[edit] Verb

Infinitive
to lightning

Third person singular
lightnings

Simple past
lightninged

Past participle
lightninged

Present participle
lightninging

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