Thunderbolt

Origin

From thunder + bolt.

Full definition of thunderbolt

Noun

1. A flash of lightning accompanied by a crash of thunder.
2. (figuratively) An event that is terrible, horrific or unexpected.
• Drydenthe Scipios' worth, those thunderbolts of war
3. Vehement threatening or censure; especially, ecclesiastical denunciation; fulmination.
• HakewillHe severely threatens such with the thunderbolt of excommunication.
4. (soccer) A very powerful shot.
• 2011, February 5, Michael Kevin Darling, Tottenham 2 - 1 Bolton, Substitute Niko Kranjcar's injury-time thunderbolt gave Tottenham a dramatic win over Bolton.
5. (paleontology) A belemnite, or thunderstone.
6. (heraldiccharge) A charge in the form of two joined bundles with four rays of lightning emerging from them, resembling the thunderbolt of Jupiter.

Derived terms

• thunderbolt beetle