/ ˈlaɪtnɪŋ; NAmE / noun , adjective
■ noun
[ U ] a flash, or several flashes, of very bright light in the sky caused by electricity :
a flash of lightning
a violent storm with thunder and lightning
He was struck by lightning and killed.
( NAmE )
Lightning strikes caused scores of fires across the state.
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IDIOMS
- lightning never strikes (in the same place) twice
- like (greased) lightning
■ adjective
[ only before noun ] very fast or sudden
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : special use of lightening (verbal noun from lighten in the sense to become lighter or brighter).