The sound which follows an explosion of electricity or lightning; the report of a discharge of electrical fluid, that is, of its passage from one cloud to another, or from a cloud to the earth, or from the earth to a cloud. When this explosion is near to a person, the thunder is a rattling or clattering sound, and when distant, the sound is heavy and rumbling. The fact is in some degree the same with the report of a cannon. This sharpness or acuteness of the sound when near, and the rumbling murmur when distant, are the principal distinctions in thunder. There were thunders and lightnings. Exodus 19:16.

Thunder is used for lightning, or for a thunderbolt, either originally through ignorance, or by way of metaphor, or because the lightning and thunder are closely united. The revenging gods . ‘Gainst parricides all the thunder bend.

Any loud noise; as the thunder of cannon. Sons of thunder. Mark 3:17.

Denunciation published; as the thunders of the Vatican.

To sound, rattle or roar, as an explosion of electricity. Canst thou thunder with a voice like him? Job 40:9.

To make a loud noise, particularly a heavy sound of some continuance. His dreadful voice no more . Would thunder in my ears.

To rattle, or give a heavy rattling sound. And roll the thund’ring chariot o’er the ground.

To emit with noise and terror. Oracles severe . Were daily thunder’d in our gen’ral’s ear.

To publish any denunciation or threat. An archdeacon, as being a prelate, may thunder out an ecclesiastical censure.