ball lightning

ball lightning
Fireball Fire"ball`, n. 1. (Mil.) A ball filled with powder or other combustibles, intended to be thrown among enemies, and to injure by explosion; also, to set fire to their works and light them up, so that movements may be seen. [1913 Webster]

2. A rare phenomenon often associated with or caused by lightning, resembling a luminous ball of fire passing rapidly through the air or along solid objects, then disappearing, and sometimes exploding. It seldom lasts more than a few seconds. Also called {ball lightning}, {globe lightning}, {globular lightning}, or {kugelblitz}. [Webster 1913 Suppl. +PJC]

3. A large mass of fire caused by a large explosion, as of inflammable liquids or a nuclear device. The larger fireballs, as of nuclear explosions, rise seemingly intact into the air and may reach high altitudes while still glowing. [PJC]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • Ball lightning — is an atmospheric electrical phenomenon, the physical nature of which is still controversial. The term refers to reports of luminous, usually spherical objects which vary from pea sized to several meters in diameter. It is sometimes associated… …   Wikipedia

  • Ball lightning — 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… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • ball lightning — n. a rare form of lightning seen as a short lived, reddish, glowing ball, up to about a foot in diameter, that appears to float in the air or move rapidly along the ground before disintegrating …   English World dictionary

  • ball lightning — a rare form of lightning, consisting of a bright, luminous ball that moves rapidly along objects or floats in the air. Also called globe lightning. [1855 60] * * * ▪ atmospheric phenomenon also called  globe lightning        a rare aerial… …   Universalium

  • ball lightning — kamuolinis žaibas statusas T sritis fizika atitikmenys: angl. ball lightning; fireball; globular lightning vok. Kugelblitz, m rus. шаровая молния, f pranc. éclair sphérique, m; foudre en boule, f; foudre globulaire, f …   Fizikos terminų žodynas

  • ball lightning — kamuolinis žaibas statusas T sritis ekologija ir aplinkotyra apibrėžtis Švytintis, kartais kibirkščiuojantis 10–20 cm skersmens ugnies kamuolys, susidarantis dažniausiai po linijinio žaibo. Išsilaiko nuo 1 iki keleto minučių, juda be garso, per… …   Ekologijos terminų aiškinamasis žodynas

  • ball lightning — noun Date: 1857 a rare form of lightning consisting of luminous balls that may move along solid objects or float in the air …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • ball lightning — noun a rare form of lightning in the shape of a moving luminous globe …   English new terms dictionary

  • ball lightning — noun : an extremely rare form of lightning consisting of highly luminous balls that move with moderate speed and usually disappear without an explosion …   Useful english dictionary

  • ball lightning — noun A short lived, glowing ball sometimes observed to float in the air; thought to consist of ionized gas associated with thunderstorms …   Wiktionary

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