lightning

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light|ning /l'aɪtnɪŋ/
1 [N-UNCOUNT]
Lightning is the very bright flashes of light in the sky that happen during thunderstorms.
One man died when he was struck by lightning...
Another flash of lightning lit up the cave.
...thunder and lightning.
see also forked lightning
2 [ADJ] ADJ n
Lightning describes things that happen very quickly or last for only a short time.
Driving today demands lightning reflexes.forked light|ning
[N-UNCOUNT]
Forked lightning is lightning that divides into two or more parts near the ground.light|ning bug (lightning bugs)
[N-COUNT]
A lightning bug is a type of beetle that produces light from its body. (AM)
= fireflylight|ning con|duc|tor (lightning conductors)
[N-COUNT]
A lightning conductor is a long thin piece of metal on top of a building that attracts lightning and allows it to reach the ground safely. (BRIT; in AM, use lightning rod)light|ning rod (lightning rods)
1 [N-COUNT]
A lightning rod is the same as a lightning conductor. (AM)
2 [PHRASE] PHR n
If you say that someone is a lightning rod for something, you mean that they attract that thing to themselves. (AM)
He is a lightning rod for controversy.light|ning strike (lightning strikes)
[N-COUNT]
A lightning strike is a strike in which workers stop work suddenly and without any warning, in order to protest about something. (BRIT)
Bank staff are to stage a series of lightning strikes in a dispute over staffing.

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