lightning:1

noun
light*ning \ ˈlīt-niŋ \
14th century{ds||1||}
  • the flashing of light produced by a discharge of atmospheric electricity; also : the discharge itself
  • a sudden stroke of fortune

lightning:2

adjective
lightning \
1576
  • having or moving with or as if with the speed and suddenness of lightning

lightning:3

verb
lightning \
1861
  • to discharge a flash of lightning

lightning arrester

noun
lightning arrester \
1852
  • a device for protecting an electrical apparatus from damage by lightning

lightning bug

noun
lightning bug \
1778
  • firefly

lightning rod

noun
lightning rod \
1770{ds||1||}
  • a grounded metallic rod set up on a structure (such as a building) to protect it from lightning
  • one that serves to divert attack from another
  • one that is a frequent target of criticism or focus of controversy

lightning conductor

noun
lightning conductor \
  • a metal rod that is placed on a building and connected with the ground below to protect the building from being damaged by lightning

lightning never strikes (the same place) twice

idiom
lightning never strikes (the same place) twice \
  • —used to say that a very unusual event is not likely to happen again to the same person or in the same place

lightning strike

noun
lightning strike \
  • a strike by workers that is done very suddenly
  • an occurrence of something being hit by lightning

ball lightning

noun
ball lightning \
1845
  • a rare form of lightning consisting of luminous balls that may move along solid objects or float in the air
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