fulgurite

[ fuhl-gyuh-rahyt ]
/ ˈfʌl gyəˌraɪt /

noun

a tubelike formation in sand or rock, caused by lightning.

Origin of fulgurite

1825–35; < Latin fulgur (see fulgurate) + -ite1

Example sentences from the Web for fulgurite

  • This fulgurite, which is extremely light, measures six centimetres in length.

    Thunder and Lightning |Camille Flammarion

British Dictionary definitions for fulgurite

fulgurite
/ (ˈfʌlɡjʊˌraɪt) /

noun

a tube of glassy mineral matter found in sand and rock, formed by the action of lightning

Word Origin for fulgurite

C19: from Latin fulgur lightning

Scientific definitions for fulgurite

fulgurite
[ fulgyə-rīt′, -gə- ]

A slender, usually tubular body of glassy rock produced by lightning striking and then fusing dry sandy soil.