Thunderbolt

THUN'DERBOLT, noun [thunder and bolt.]

1. A shaft of lightning; a brilliant stream of the electrical fluid, passing from one part of the heavens to another, and particularly from the clouds to the earth. [[Psalms 78#48|Psalms 78:48]].

2. Figuratively, a daring or irresistible hero; as the Scipios, those thunderbolts of war.

3. Fulmination; ecclesiastical denunciation.

He severely threatens such with the thunderbolt of excommunication.

4. In mineralogy, thunder-stone.