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.
\ \ Cf.⇒ LIGHT

Word origins - 2ed. . 2005.

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  • Lightning — Light ning (l[imac]t n[i^]ng), n. [For lightening, fr. lighten to flash.] 1. A discharge of atmospheric electricity, accompanied by a vivid flash of light, commonly from one cloud to another, sometimes from a cloud to the earth. The sound… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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  • lightning — lightning, lightening Lightning is the spelling with reference to electrical flashes in the sky (thunder and lightning), whereas lightening is a form of the verb lighten • (I welcome the lightening of this burden that s imposed on councils… …   Modern English usage

  • lightning — late 13c., prp. of lightnen make bright, extended form of O.E. lihting, from leht (see LIGHT (Cf. light) (n.)). Meaning cheap, raw whiskey is attested from 1781, also sometimes gin. Lightning bug is attested from 1778. Lightning rod from 1790 …   Etymology dictionary

  • lightning — ► NOUN 1) the occurrence of a high voltage electrical discharge between a cloud and the ground or within a cloud, accompanied by a bright flash. 2) (before another noun ) very quick: lightning speed. ORIGIN from LIGHTEN(Cf. ↑lighten) …   English terms dictionary

  • lightning — [līt′niŋ] n. [ME lightninge < lightnen, to LIGHTEN1] 1. a flash of light in the sky caused by the discharge of atmospheric electricity from one cloud to another or between a cloud and the earth 2. such a discharge of electricity vi. to give… …   English World dictionary

  • Lightning — Light ning (l[imac]t n[i^]ng), vb. n. Lightening. [R.] [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Lightning — This article is about the atmospheric electrical phenomenon. For other uses, see Lightning (disambiguation). See also: Lightning strike Lightning striking Atlanta, United States Lightning is an atmospheric electrostatic discharge (spar …   Wikipedia

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