sheet lightning
1Sheet lightning — Sheet Sheet, n. [OE. shete, schete, AS. sc[=e]te, sc[=y]te, fr. sce[ a]t a projecting corner, a fold in a garment (akin to D. schoot sheet, bosom, lap, G. schoss bosom, lap, flap of a coat, Icel. skaut, Goth. skauts the hem of a garment);… …
2Sheet lightning — Lightning Light ning (l[imac]t n[i^]ng), n. [For lightening, fr. lighten to flash.] 1. A discharge of atmospheric electricity, accompanied by a vivid flash of light, commonly from one cloud to another, sometimes from a cloud to the earth. The… …
3sheet lightning — n [U] a type of ↑lightning that appears as a sudden flash of brightness covering a large area of sky →↑forked lightning …
4sheet lightning — noun uncount a type of LIGHTNING that makes the whole sky look very bright …
5sheet lightning — n. a sheetlike illumination caused by lightning reflected and diffused by thunderclouds …
6sheet lightning — noun : lightning in diffused or sheet form due to reflection and diffusion by the clouds and sky * * * noun [noncount] : lightning that appears as a wide flash of light over a large area of sky * * * ˌsheet ˈlightning f3 [sheet lightning] noun …
7sheet lightning — sheet′ light ning n. mer lightning appearing as a general illumination over a broad area, usu. because the path of the flash is obscured by clouds • Etymology: 1820–30 …
8sheet lightning — lightning appearing merely as a general illumination over a broad area, usually because the path of the flash is obscured by clouds. [1820 30] * * * …
9sheet lightning — /ˈʃit laɪtnɪŋ/ (say sheet luytning) noun lightning appearing merely as a general illumination over a broad surface, usually due to the reflection of the lightning of a distant thunderstorm …
10sheet lightning — noun Date: 1794 lightning in diffused or sheet form due to reflection and diffusion by the clouds and sky …
