I. ˈlīt-niŋ noun
Etymology: Middle English, from gerund of lightenen to lighten
Date: 13th century
1. : the flashing of light produced by a discharge of atmospheric electricity ; also : the discharge itself
2. : a sudden stroke of fortune
II. adjective
Date: 1576
: having or moving with or as if with the speed and suddenness of lightning
a lightning assault
III. intransitive verb
( light·ninged ; lightning )
Date: 1903
: to discharge a flash of lightning