foudroyant

[ foo-droi-uhnt; French foo-drwa-yahn ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

adjective

striking as with lightning; sudden and overwhelming in effect; stunning; dazzling.
Pathology. (of disease) beginning in a sudden and severe form.

foudroyant

/ fuːˈdrɔɪənt /

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

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

The helm was eased a little, and the ship sheered nearer to le Foudroyant.

The Foudroyant's superior manœuvring enabled her to commence the engagement by a raking fire.

The expedition was destroyed, and the Foudroyant had the whole honour of the victory.

The Foudroyant, on that melancholy occasion, had been astern of the Victory, the admiral's ship.

The Foudroyant, which was taken into the service, was looked upon for many years as the finest ship in the British Navy.

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