lightning: [14] Etymologically, lightning is simply something that illuminates, or ‘lightens’, the sky. The word is a contraction of an earlier lightening, a derivative of lighten ‘make light’. The Old English word for ‘lightning’ was lēget, which is related to light. In Middle English it became leit, and later leiting, but in the 14th century lightning took over as the main form. => light
lightning (n.)
late 13c., present participle of lightnen "make bright," extended form of Old English lihting, from leht (see light (n.)). Meaning "cheap, raw whiskey" is attested from 1781, also sometimes "gin." Lightning bug is attested from 1778. Lightning rod from 1790.
双语例句
1. It was unbelievably dramatic as lightning crackled all round the van.
闪电在货车周围炸开时，情景异常壮观。
来自柯林斯例句
2. Suddenly a bolt of lightning crackled through the sky.
突然一道闪电划破长空。
来自柯林斯例句
3. There was frequent thunder and lightning, and torrential rain.
雷电交加，大雨倾盆。
来自柯林斯例句
4. This highlights a problem faced by people proposing theories of ball lightning.
这使得球状闪电理论的提出者所面临的一个问题凸显出来。
来自柯林斯例句
5. Pickers are bent double, plucking each flower with lightning speed.