lightning
UK[ˈlaɪtnɪŋ]US[ˈlaɪtnɪŋ]
n
A flash of bright light in the sky produced by electricity moving between clouds or from clouds to the ground.
adj
Very fast or sudden.
Etymology
The word 'lightning' originates from the Middle English 'lightninge', which itself evolved from the earlier verb 'lightnen', meaning 'to shine, to flash, or to make light'. This verb is a frequentative form of 'lighten', derived from Old English 'līhtan', meaning 'to illuminate'. The core concept is the action of emitting light, which over time became specialized as a noun for the specific, powerful flash of light during a storm. The modern spelling with '-ning' solidified by the late 14th century, distinguishing the noun for the electrical discharge from the verb 'to lighten'.
Analysis
The word 'lightning' is a simplex form derived from the Middle English verb 'lightnen', meaning 'to make bright or to flash'. The '-ning' suffix is a nominalizing element, not a separable morpheme in the modern spelling.
Examples
The storm was fierce, with thunder following each flash of lightning.
He moved with lightning speed to catch the falling child.
Scientists study lightning to better understand atmospheric electricity.