Lightning
['laɪtnɪŋ]
Definition
(noun.) 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.
(noun.) abrupt electric discharge from cloud to cloud or from cloud to earth accompanied by the emission of light.
Editor: Nolan--From WordNet
Definition
(n.) 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 produced by the electricity in passing rapidly through the atmosphere constitutes thunder.
(n.) The act of making bright, or the state of being made bright; enlightenment; brightening, as of the mental powers.
(vb. n.) Lightening.
Checked by Elmer
Unserious Contents or Definition
Lightning in your dreams, foreshadows happiness and prosperity of short duration. If the lightning strikes some object near you, and you feel the shock, you will be damaged by the good fortune of a friend, or you may be worried by gossipers and scandalmongers. To see livid lightning parting black clouds, sorrow and difficulties will follow close on to fortune. If it strikes you, unexpected sorrows will overwhelm you in business or love. To see the lightning above your head, heralds the advent of joy and gain. To see lightning in the south, fortune will hide herself from you for awhile. If in the southwest, luck will come your way. In the west, your prospects will be brighter than formally. In the north, obstacles will have to be removed before your prospects will brighten up. If in the east, you will easily win favors and fortune. Lightning from dark and ominous-looking clouds, is always a forerunner of threats, of loss and of disappointments. Business men should stay close to business, and women near their husbands or mothers; children and the sick should be looked after closely.
To see a lightning-rod, denotes that threatened destruction to some cherished work will confront you. To see one change into a serpent, foretells enemies will succeed in their schemes against you. If the lightning strikes one, there will be an accident or sudden news to give you sorrow. If you are having one put up, it is a warning to beware how you begin a new enterprise, as you will likely be overtaken by disappointment. To have them taken down, you will change your plans and thereby further your interests. To see many lightning rods, indicates a variety of misfortunes.
Inputed by Bruno
Examples
- Bred in the country, he had attentively observed the effect of lightning on trees and cattle. Harriette Wilson. The Memoirs of Harriette Wilson.
- They spoke low, as people watching and waiting mostly do; as people in a dark room, watching and waiting for Lightning, always do. Charles Dickens. A Tale of Two Cities.
- There is a great crowd bearing down upon us, Miss Manette, and I see them--by the Lightning. Charles Dickens. A Tale of Two Cities.
- The vault above became obscured, lightning flashed from the heavy masses, followed instantaneously by crashing thunder; then the big rain fell. Mary Shelley. The Last Man.
- The lightning is made his swift messenger, and thought flashes in submarine depths around the world. Edward W. Byrn. The Progress of Invention in the Nineteenth Century.
- Swift as lightning he drew back and brought his free hand down like a hawk on the neck of the rabbit. D. H. Lawrence. Women in Love .
- Like lightning he wheeled and before I could so much as lower my hand the point of his long-sword was at my breast. Edgar Rice Burroughs. A Princess of Mars.
- So the three gentlemen walked down to see the Lightning coach come in. William Makepeace Thackeray. Vanity Fair.
- But when father said he'd give him up to police, he gave a great cry, and struck father on th' face wi' his closed fist, and be off like lightning. Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell. North and South.
- The third was as quick as lightning. Wilkie Collins. The Woman in White.
- Its moving principle flows more silently than a summer’s zephyr, and yet it rises at times to an angry and deadly crash in the lightning stroke. Edward W. Byrn. The Progress of Invention in the Nineteenth Century.
- As time went on the messages came with such lightning speed that the whole force gathered about to see the new man work. Rupert S. Holland. Historic Inventions.
- It does not take a long time to strike a man with Lightning, said Defarge. Charles Dickens. A Tale of Two Cities.
- It was a hot, wild night, and they were all three reminded of the old Sunday night when they had looked at the lightning from the same place. Charles Dickens. A Tale of Two Cities.
- Though not exactly to my taste, still, by the Thunder and the Lightning! Charles Dickens. Little Dorrit.
- During this short voyage I saw the lightnings playing on the summit of Mont Bl?nc in the most beautiful figures. Mary Shelley. Frankenstein_Or_The Modern Prometheus.
- To find a new planet, to invent a new hinge, to find the way to make the lightnings carry your messages. Mark Twain. The Innocents Abroad.
Checked by Clive