Lexic.us

Definition of Thunderbolt

1. Noun. A discharge of lightning accompanied by thunder.

2. Noun. A shocking surprise. "News of the attack came like a bombshell"

Definition of Thunderbolt

1. n. A shaft of lightning; a brilliant stream of electricity passing from one part of the heavens to another, or from the clouds to the earth.

Definition of Thunderbolt

1. Noun. A flash of lightning accompanied by a crash of thunder. ¹

2. Noun. (figuratively) An event that is terrible, horrific or unexpected. ¹

3. Noun. (soccer) A very powerful shot. ¹

4. Noun. (paleontology) A belemnite, or thunderstone. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Thunderbolt

1. [n -S]

Medical Definition of Thunderbolt

1. 1. A shaft of lightning; a brilliant stream of electricity passing from one part of the heavens to another, or from the clouds to the earth. 2. Something resembling lightning in suddenness and effectiveness. "The Scipios' worth, those thunderbolts of war." (Dryden) 3. Vehement threatening or censure; especially, ecclesiastical denunciation; fulmination. "He severely threatens such with the thunderbolt of excommunication." (Hakewill) 4. A belemnite, or thunderstone. Thunderbolt beetle, a long-horned beetle (Arhopalus fulminans) whose larva bores in the trunk of oak and chestnut trees. It is brownish and bluish-black, with W-shaped whitish or silvery markings on the elytra. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Thunderbolt

thunder and lightning thunder cloud thunder clouds thunder god thunder gods thunder lizard thunder lizards thunder mug thunder pot thunder snake

thunder thighs thunderation thunderbird thunderbirds thunderblast thunderbolt (current term) thunderbolt beetle thunderbolt beetles thunderbolts thunderboomer

thunderboomers thunderbox thunderboxes thunderburst thunderbursts thunderclap thunderclaps thundercloud thunderclouds

Literary usage of Thunderbolt

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. Twenty Years After by Alexandre Dumas (1901)
"Now," said he, standing up in his stirrups, that he might see as far as possible amongst the numerous masts, — "'The thunderbolt'? ..."

2. The History of Ancient Art by Johann Joachim Winckelmann, Giles Henry Lodge (1873)
"The Etruscans also armed nine divinities with the thunderbolt, ... Among the gods, in addition to Jupiter, the thunderbolt was also an attribute of that ..."

3. Murvale Eastman, Christian Socialist: Christian Socialist by Albion Winegar Tourgée (1890)
"THE thunderbolt " SCOOPS " THE BREEZE. THERE was no room to doubt that the thunderbolt had made a hit. It was a very attractive scandal, and the edition ..."

4. Murvale Eastman, Christian Socialist: Christian Socialist by Albion Winegar Tourgée (1890)
"THERE was no room to doubt that the thunderbolt had ... The thunderbolt had evidently " scooped " its rival, and reaped the reward of enterprise. ..."

5. Buddhist Art in India by Albert Grünwedel (1901)
"Whether the appearance in the earlier Gandhara sculptures of a god bearing a thunderbolt always seen near the person of Buddha may, at a later date, ..."

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