Lightning conductor

Lightning conductor
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 produced by the electricity in passing rapidly through the atmosphere constitutes thunder. [1913 Webster]

2. The act of making bright, or the state of being made bright; enlightenment; brightening, as of the mental powers. [R.] [1913 Webster]

{Ball lightning}, a rare form of lightning sometimes seen as a globe of fire moving from the clouds to the earth.

{Chain lightning}, lightning in angular, zigzag, or forked flashes.

{Heat lightning}, more or less vivid and extensive flashes of electric light, without thunder, seen near the horizon, esp. at the close of a hot day.

{Lightning arrester} (Telegraphy), a device, at the place where a wire enters a building, for preventing injury by lightning to an operator or instrument. It consists of a short circuit to the ground interrupted by a thin nonconductor over which lightning jumps. Called also {lightning discharger}.

{Lightning bug} (Zo["o]l.), a luminous beetle. See {Firefly}.

{Lightning conductor}, a lightning rod.

{Lightning glance}, a quick, penetrating glance of a brilliant eye.

{Lightning rod}, a metallic rod set up on a building, or on the mast of a vessel, and connected with the earth or water below, for the purpose of protecting the building or vessel from lightning.

{Sheet lightning}, a diffused glow of electric light flashing out from the clouds, and illumining their outlines. The appearance is sometimes due to the reflection of light from distant flashes of lightning by the nearer clouds. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • lightning conductor — 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) …   English dictionary

  • lightning conductor — (also chiefly N. Amer. lightning rod) ► NOUN Brit. ▪ a metal rod or wire fixed in a high and exposed place to divert lightning into the ground …   English terms dictionary

  • lightning conductor — noun a metallic conductor that is attached to a high point and leads to the ground; protects the building from destruction by lightning • Syn: ↑lightning rod • Hypernyms: ↑conductor * * * noun, pl ⋯ tors [count] Brit : ↑lightning rod 1 * * *… …   Useful english dictionary

  • lightning conductor — UK / US noun [countable] Word forms lightning conductor : singular lightning conductor plural lightning conductors British 1) a metal bar fixed to a building to protect it from lightning 2) someone who attracts a lot of criticism, sometimes as a… …   English dictionary

  • lightning conductor — žaibolaidis statusas T sritis fizika atitikmenys: angl. lightning arrester; lightning conductor vok. Blitzableiter, m rus. громоотвод, m; молниеотвод, m pranc. paratonnerre, m …   Fizikos terminų žodynas

  • lightning-conductor — žaibolaidis statusas T sritis ekologija ir aplinkotyra apibrėžtis Įrenginys, saugantis statinius, elektros įrenginius nuo žaibų. Įrengiami virš saugomo statinio arba šalia jo. Turi įžeminimo įrenginį, kurio varža ne didesnė kaip 40 Ω. atitikmenys …   Ekologijos terminų aiškinamasis žodynas

  • lightning conductor — lightning con.ductor n BrE a metal wire or bar that is attached to the side of a building and goes from the top to the ground, used to protect the building from lightning …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • lightning conductor — noun A metallic conductor that is attached to a high point of a building and leads to the ground and protects the building from damage by lightning. Syn: lightning rod …   Wiktionary

  • lightning conductor — /ˈlaɪtnɪŋ kəndʌktə/ (say luytning kuhnduktuh) noun a rodlike conductor installed to divert atmospheric electricity away from a structure and protect the structure from lightning by providing a path to earth. Also, lightning rod …  

  • lightning conductor — (also chiefly N. Amer. lightning rod) noun Brit. a metal rod or wire fixed in a high and exposed place to divert lightning into the ground …   English new terms dictionary

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