Lightning rod

Lightning rod
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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  • lightning 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… …   English dictionary

  • lightning rod — lightning .rod n AmE 1.) a ↑lightning conductor 2.) someone or something who gets most of the criticism, blame, or public attention when there is a problem, although they may not be responsible for it be a lightning rod for sth ▪ The senator has… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • lightning rod — lightning ,rod noun count AMERICAN 1. ) a metal bar fixed to a building that protects it from LIGHTNING 2. ) someone who attracts a lot of criticism, sometimes as a way of protecting someone else: The outspoken chief inspector serves as a… …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • lightning rod — Someone or something that attracts a lot of negative comment, often diverting attention from other problems, is a lightning rod …   The small dictionary of idiomes

  • lightning rod — ☆ lightning rod n. 1. a tall metal pole placed high on a structure, as a building or tower, and attached to a ground so as to attract lightning and protect the structure from damage 2. a person or thing that attracts controversy, strong feelings …   English World dictionary

  • Lightning rod — A lightning rod (USA) or lightning conductor (UK) is a single component in a lightning protection system. In addition to rods placed at regular intervals on the highest portions of a structure, a lightning protection system typically includes a… …   Wikipedia

  • lightning rod — 1. a rodlike conductor installed to divert lightning away from a structure by providing a direct path to the ground. 2. a person or thing that attracts and absorbs powerful and esp. negative or hostile feelings, opinions, etc., thereby diverting… …   Universalium

  • lightning rod — noun Date: 1773 1. a grounded metallic rod set up on a structure (as a building) to protect it from lightning 2. one that serves to divert attack from another 3. one that is a frequent target of criticism or focus of controversy < she has become… …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • lightning rod — /ˈlaɪtnɪŋ rɒd/ (say luytning rod) noun 1. → lightning conductor. 2. someone or something which attracts heated debate: an agreement which is a lightning rod for both sides of politics …  

  • lightning rod — n. someone, something, or an issue that is certain to draw criticism. □ Why write such a boastful introduction to your book? It will just be a lightning rod for criticism. □ We didn’t hire him for the part since his opinionated comments make him… …   Dictionary of American slang and colloquial expressions

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