thunder English · revision 7374

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=inherited|attested=c. 725|origins=gem-pro *þunraz}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈθʌndɚ/; /ˈθʌndə/ ''(UK)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is Middle English thonder, [[inh|ang|þunor|t=thunder; the god Thor]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986)^(MWU 2024) from [[gem-pro|*þunraz]],^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) source also of Old Norse [[m|non|Þórr|t=Thor]], Dutch [[m|nl|donder]] and German [[m|de|Donner]],^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)^(NODE 1998) from PIE [[ine-pro|*(s)tenh₂-|alt=*(s)tene-|t=to resound, thunder]], also the source of Latin [[m|la|tono|alt=tonāre|t=to thunder]].^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The loud noise accompanying lightning: about 725 in the OED.^(OED 1989) Barnhart dates thunder to about 1250, from earlier thunre and Old English thunor.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The unetymological -d- is also found in Dutch and Icelandic.^(Etymonline) Swedish tordön is literally Thor's din.^(Etymonline) Any loud rumbling noise, or a startling threat or denunciation, is by the 1590s.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) ''By thunder'' as a mild oath is by 1709, ''like thunder'' as an intensifier by 1826, and ''steal someone's thunder'' by 1838, from a theatrical anecdote.^(Etymonline) Since the 18th century thunder has been explained as the sudden disturbance of the air by an electrical discharge.^(Etymonline) The verb is Old English þunrian, and its figurative sense, to speak loudly and threateningly, follows.^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 725 – thunder.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1590s – any loud noise.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1709 – by thunder.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1838 – steal someone's thunder.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # The loud rumbling or crashing noise heard after a flash of [[lightning]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A loud, deep resounding noise: ''the thunder of hooves''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To produce thunder: ''it thundered''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To make a loud, deep rumbling noise.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To speak loudly and angrily.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[thunderer]]

+ * [[thunderless]]

+ * [[thunderation]]

+ * [[thunderbird]]

+ * [[thunderbolt]]

+ * [[thunderclap]]

+ * [[thundercloud]]

+ * [[thunderhead]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[thunderstorm]]

+ * [[Thursday]]

+ * [[Thor]]

+ * [[astonish]]

+ * [[detonate]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}