lightning rod — a metal rod or conductor installed on a structure to protect it from lightning strikes by providing a path for electrical discharge
Part of speech: NOUN
Definition: a metal rod or conductor installed on a structure to protect it from lightning strikes by providing a path for electrical discharge
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈlaɪtnɪŋ rɑd/
Example Sentences
- My neighbor's house has a lightning rod that looks like a fancy antenna - I told him it's the only way to get good reception from Zeus!
- The controversial politician acted like a lightning rod, attracting all the media attention away from the real issues.
- Benjamin Franklin's lightning rod was so revolutionary that people thought he was either a genius or had made a deal with the devil.
lightning rod
NOUN[/ˈlaɪtnɪŋ rɑd/]
a metal rod or conductor installed on a structure to protect it from lightning strikes by providing a path for electrical discharge
a metal rod or conductor installed on a structure to protect it from lightning strikes by providing a path for electrical discharge
From fighting cod to sighting God, the lightning rod protects us all!
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
The term emerged in the 18th century following Benjamin Franklin's discovery of lightning's electrical properties and his invention of the protective device. 'Lightning' derives from Old English 'lihting,' meaning 'to brighten' or 'to illuminate,' while 'rod' comes from Old English 'rodd,' meaning 'stick' or 'staff.'
Breakdown
lightning (Old English lihting, 'to brighten') + rod (Old English rodd, 'stick or staff'). The compound literally denotes a rod designed to conduct the bright electrical discharge of lightning safely to ground.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“My neighbor's house has a lightning rod that looks like a fancy antenna - I told him it's the only way to get good reception from Zeus!”
“The controversial politician acted like a lightning rod, attracting all the media attention away from the real issues.”
“Benjamin Franklin's lightning rod was so revolutionary that people thought he was either a genius or had made a deal with the devil.”
“The tall skyscraper's lightning rod system is so advanced, it could probably charge every phone in the city during a storm!”
📚Related Words
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