Lightning [Barca]

Hamilcar of Carthage was called “Barca,” both on account of the rapidity of his march and also for the severity of his attacks. (B.C. 247–228.)

Chain lightning. Two or more flashes of lightning repeated without intermission.

Forked lightning. Zig-zag lightning.

Globular lightning. A meteoric ball [of fire], which sometimes falls on the earth and flies off with an explosion.

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Entry taken from Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, edited by the Rev. E. Cobham Brewer, LL.D. and revised in 1895.