thunder rod

1 definition found

thunder rod - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Thunder \Thun"der\, n. [OE. [thorn]under, [thorn]onder,
     [thorn]oner, AS. [thorn]unor; akin to [thorn]unian to
     stretch, to thunder, D. donder thunder, G. donner, OHG.
     donar, Icel. [thorn][=o]rr Thor, L. tonare to thunder,
     tonitrus thunder, Gr. to`nos a stretching, straining, Skr.
     tan to stretch. [root]52. See Thin, and cf. Astonish,
     Detonate, Intone, Thursday, Tone.]
     1. The sound which follows a flash of lightning; the report
        of a discharge of atmospheric electricity.
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     2. The discharge of electricity; a thunderbolt. [Obs.]
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              The revenging gods
              'Gainst parricides did all their thunders bend.
                                                    --Shak.
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     3. Any loud noise; as, the thunder of cannon.
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     4. An alarming or statrling threat or denunciation.
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              The thunders of the Vatican could no longer strike
              into the heart of princes.            --Prescott.
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     Thunder pumper. (Zool.)
        (a) The croaker (Haploidontus grunniens).
        (b) The American bittern or stake-driver.
  
     Thunder rod, a lightning rod. [R.]
  
     Thunder snake. (Zool.)
        (a) The chicken, or milk, snake.
        (b) A small reddish ground snake (Carphophis amoena syn.
            Celuta amoena) native to the Eastern United States;
            -- called also worm snake.
  
     Thunder tube, a fulgurite. See Fulgurite.
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