Thunderclap

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Thunderclap \Thun"der*clap`\, n.
     A sharp burst of thunder; a sudden report of a discharge of
     atmospheric electricity. "Thunderclaps that make them quake."
     --Spenser.
     [1913 Webster]
  


           When suddenly the thunderclap was heard. --Dryden.
     [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  thunderclap
       n 1: a single sharp crash of thunder
       2: a shocking surprise; "news of the attack came like a
          bombshell" [syn: {bombshell}, {thunderbolt}]