thonder
Middle English
Alternative forms
Etymology
Inherited from Old English þunor, from Proto-Germanic *þunraz. The varieties with -d- are from the oblique stem of þunor, þunr-, which experienced a sound change -nr- → -ndr-; this was leveled into all forms of the word (compare Middle English gandre).
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /ˈθundər/, /ˈθunər/
Noun
thonder (plural thondres)
- Thunder; the loud noise created during a thunderstorm and accompanied by lightning.
- A thunderstorm; a storm where the noise thunder occurs.
- A thunderous sound or voice; something which acoustically resembles thunder.
- a. 1382, John Wycliffe, “Apocalips 6:1”, in Wycliffe's Bible:
- And Y sai, that the lomb hadde openyd oon of the seuene seelis. And Y herde oon of the foure beestis seiynge, as a vois of thundur, Come, and se.
- And I noticed that the lamb had opened one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four beasts saying, with a voice like thunder: "Come, and see!"
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- Lightning; discharged electricity from the clouds (especially in contexts referring to destruction)
- (rare) A threat; an instance of intimidation.
Related terms
References
- “thǒnder (n.)” in MED Online, Ann Arbor, Mich.: University of Michigan, 2007, retrieved 2018-10-08.
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