thunder-cloudn.
a. A storm-cloud charged with electricity, that sends forth thunder and lightning.
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the world > the earth > weather and the atmosphere > weather > cloud > [noun] > a cloud > storm-cloud
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storm-cloud1822
thunderhead1851
storm-breeder1867
hogback1933
1697 W. Dampier New Voy. around World iv. 79 These Tornadoe's commonly come against the wind.., as our Thunder-Clouds are often observed to do.
1794 A. Radcliffe Myst. of Udolpho IV. xii. 280 The thunder-clouds, being dispersed, had left the sky perfectly serene.
1860 E. B. Pusey Minor Prophets 155 God's judgments rolled round like a thunder-cloud.
1871 tr. H. Schellen Spectrum Anal. §7. 21 When the electric spark flashes from the thunder-cloud to the earth.
b. figurative. Something threatening or dreadful figured as a cloud.
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the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > danger > threat or threatening > [noun] > that which threatens
thunder-cloud1783
menace1851
the world > action or operation > adversity > calamity or misfortune > [noun] > misfortune or ill-luck > causing or bringing misfortune > one who or that which > that which threatens misfortune
thunder-cloud1783
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1783 W. Cowper Valediction 76 To scenes where competition, envy, strife, Beget no thunder-clouds to trouble life.
1898 Notes & Queries 9th Ser. 2 138/2 The black thunder-cloud of Spain overshadowed half the heavens.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1912; most recently modified version published online June 2019).
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