chain lightning

noun

Chiefly Northeastern and Western U.S. lightning that seems to move very quickly in wavy or zigzag lines.
bead lightning.

chain lightning

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An Americanism dating back to 1825–35

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Examples have not been reviewed.

Hunters will unleash an arc burst of chain lightning that tracks enemies with their glaive.

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Finally, jumpy hunters get an arc burst of chain lightning that tracks enemies in true hunter-style.

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A silent flash traveled around the mountain, followed by another flash— chain lightning, but no thunder reached the town.

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The Kraken backs up swings of its deadly tentacles with bursts of chain lightning.

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It was the stuff of children’s myth—Georgie had an eye for the back of the net and a left foot like chain lightning—but it all seemed plausible.

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