foudroyant

[ foo-droi-uh nt; French foo-drwa-yahn ]

/ fuˈdrɔɪ ənt; French fu drwaˈyɑ̃ /

striking as with lightning; sudden and overwhelming in effect; stunning; dazzling.

Pathology. (of disease) beginning in a sudden and severe form.

Origin of foudroyant

1830–40; < French, present participle of foudroyer to strike with lightning, derivative of foudre lightning < Latin fulgur

The "Foudroyant" came in sight on the afternoon of the 24th.

The Life of Nelson, Vol. I (of 2) |A. T. (Alfred Thayer) Mahan
Carraciolli concealed himself, but was discovered in disguise and put on board the Foudroyant with his hands tied behind his back.

Drake, Nelson and Napoleon |Walter Runciman
The Queen was in a panic, and besought him with tears to give her the "Foudroyant," but Keith was obdurate.

The Life of Nelson, Vol. II. (of 2) |A. T. (Alfred Thayer) Mahan
The court was held on board the “Foudroyant,” which was British territory—a most indefensible proceeding.

Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 5, Slice 3 |Various

The next instant the oars fell, and the gig whirled round under the Foudroyant's stern and came glancing up toward his own skiff.

The Wing-and-Wing |J. Fenimore Cooper

foudroyant

/ (fuːˈdrɔɪənt) /

(of a disease) occurring suddenly and with great severity

rare stunning, dazzling, or overwhelming

C19: from French, from foudroyer to strike with lightning, from Old French foudre lightning, from Latin fulgur