St Elmo's fire
/ˈɛlməʊz
/noun [mass noun]
A phenomenon in which a luminous electrical discharge appears on a ship or aircraft during a storm.Another possibility is St Elmo's fire caused by a strong low level electrical field....
- St. Elmo's Fire has long served as an omen of heavenly intervention to sailors.
- St Elmo's fire is usually seen at the top of tall objects such as church steeples, trees or the wings of airplanes. Often a crackling sound is heard along with it.
Origin
Regarded as a sign of protection given by St Elmo, the patron saint of sailors.