Definition of Lightening

1. Noun. Descent of the uterus into the pelvic cavity that occurs late in pregnancy; the fetus is said to have dropped.

Generic synonyms: Descent

2. Noun. Changing to a lighter color.
Exact synonyms: Whitening
Generic synonyms: Change Of Color
Specialized synonyms: Bleach
Derivative terms: Whiten

Definition of Lightening

1. Verb. (present participle of lighten) ¹

2. Noun. (medicine) The sensation caused by the descent of the uterus into the pelvic cavity before the onset of labour ¹

3. Noun. (nautical) The removal of cargo (especially crude oil) from a vessel in order to reduce its draft ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Lightening

1. lighten [v] - See also: lighten

Medical Definition of Lightening

1. Sensation of decreased abdominal distention during the later weeks of pregnancy following the descent of the foetal head into the pelvic inlet. (05 Mar 2000)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Lightening

lightbulb
lightbulbs
lightclock
lightcone
lightcones
lightcurve
lightcurves
lighted
lighten
lighten someone's purse
lighten up
lightened
lightened up
lightener
lighteners
lightening
lightening up
lightenings
lightens
lightens up
lighter
lighter-than-air
lighter-than-air craft
lighter fluid
lighterage
lighterages
lightered
lightering
lighterman
lightermen

Literary usage of Lightening

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. Recreations in Mathematics and Natural Philosophy by Jacques Ozanam, Jean Etienne Montucla (1814)
"Sometimes however the force of the electric matter, or of this small flash or artificial lightening, will be so great, as to destroy the metallic wire. ..."

2. Recreations in Mathematics and Natural Philosophy by Jacques Ozanam, Jean Etienne Montucla (1814)
"Sometimes however the force of the electric matter, or of this small flash or artificial lightening, will be so great, as to destroy the metallic wire. ..."

3. Obstetrics for nurses by Joseph Bolivar De Lee (1906)
"This phenomenon is called " lightening " or " dropping " by the people, ... Silhouettes of a woman before and after lightening occurs. times attended with ..."

4. Roughing It by Mark Twain (2001)
"... four ditto wheat, A box of books, a cow, A violin. Lord Byron's works, A rip-saw and a sow. Lightening SHIP. A curve! a curve! the dangers grow! ..."

5. Collections by Minisink Valley Historical Society, Connecticut Historical Society (1882)
"Three Hours : some Lightening and Thunder, Laus Deo. Wednesday, May, 111? Mr. Cooper sends his Trunk hither. May, 12. Mr. Sewall Preaches. ..."

6. Narrative of a Second Voyage in Search of a North-west Passage, and of a by John Ross (1835)
"... temperature and on that of sensation—Proceed in lightening the ship—The engine finally landed, ..."

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