- sheet lightning
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lightning appearing merely as a general illumination over a broad area, usually because the path of the flash is obscured by clouds.[1820-30]
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Universalium. 2010.
sheet lightning
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Sheet lightning — Sheet Sheet, n. [OE. shete, schete, AS. sc[=e]te, sc[=y]te, fr. sce[ a]t a projecting corner, a fold in a garment (akin to D. schoot sheet, bosom, lap, G. schoss bosom, lap, flap of a coat, Icel. skaut, Goth. skauts the hem of a garment);… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Sheet 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
sheet lightning — n [U] a type of ↑lightning that appears as a sudden flash of brightness covering a large area of sky →↑forked lightning … Dictionary of contemporary English
sheet lightning — noun uncount a type of LIGHTNING that makes the whole sky look very bright … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
sheet lightning — n. a sheetlike illumination caused by lightning reflected and diffused by thunderclouds … English World dictionary
sheet lightning — noun : lightning in diffused or sheet form due to reflection and diffusion by the clouds and sky * * * noun [noncount] : lightning that appears as a wide flash of light over a large area of sky * * * ˌsheet ˈlightning f3 [sheet lightning] noun … Useful english dictionary
sheet lightning — sheet′ light ning n. mer lightning appearing as a general illumination over a broad area, usu. because the path of the flash is obscured by clouds • Etymology: 1820–30 … From formal English to slang
sheet lightning — /ˈʃit laɪtnɪŋ/ (say sheet luytning) noun lightning appearing merely as a general illumination over a broad surface, usually due to the reflection of the lightning of a distant thunderstorm …
sheet lightning — noun Date: 1794 lightning in diffused or sheet form due to reflection and diffusion by the clouds and sky … New Collegiate Dictionary
sheet lightning — noun (U) a type of lightning that appears as a sudden flash of brightness covering a large area of sky compare forked lightning … Longman dictionary of contemporary English
