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thunder |
Also found in: Dictionary/thesaurus, Acronyms, Idioms, Wikipedia, Hutchinson | 0.03 sec. |
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thunder, sound produced along a path of a lightning flash, caused by the rapid heating and expansion of the adjacent air. Rolling thunder occurs either as a result of the time difference between sounds from the far and near end of a flash, or when mountains, layers of air, or other obstructions cause reverberations. Since sound travels about 1 mi in 5 sec, the distance between a lightning flash and an observer may be determined by counting the seconds between the flash and the thunder. Thunder as far distant as 10 to 15 mi (15 to 25 km) from an observer is usually not heard, even though lightning is often seen. See thunderstorm thunderstorm, violent, local atmospheric disturbance accompanied by lightning , thunder , and heavy rain, often by strong gusts of wind, and sometimes by hail . ..... Click the link for more information. . thunder a loud cracking or deep rumbling noise caused by the rapid expansion of atmospheric gases which are suddenly heated by lightning Thunder See also Lightning. Bromius epithet of Dionysus, meaning ‘thunder.’ [Gk. Myth.: Zimmerman, 43] cruel Cyclops who controls the weather; able to cause great thunder. [Gk. Myth.: Parrinder, 47; Jobes, 241, 400] god of thunder; corresponds to Thor. [Ger. Myth.: Leach, 321] thunder god and controller of weather. [Vedic Myth.: Leach, 521] Thor’s hammer. [Norse Myth.: Brewer Dictionary, 1076] god of thunder. [Norse Myth.: Leach, 1109] How to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit webmaster's page for free fun content. |
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| The first roll of thunder and the first heavy drop striking the pane caused a little stir. There was the broad arch of the forehead, a hundred feet in height; the nose, with its long bridge; and the vast lips, which, if they could have spoken, would have rolled their thunder accents from one end of the valley to the other. The wind began to moan in hollow murmurs, as the sun went down carrying glad day elsewhere; and a train of dull clouds coming up against it, menaced thunder and lightning. |
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