Saint Elmo's fire

noun
Saint El·​mo's fire | \ ˈsānt-ˈel-(ˌ)mōz- How to pronounce Saint Elmo's fire (audio) \
variants: or St. Elmo's fire or less commonly Saint Elmo's light or St. Elmo's light

Definition of Saint Elmo's fire

: a flaming phenomenon sometimes seen in stormy weather at prominent points on an airplane or ship and on land that is of the nature of a brush discharge of electricity

First Known Use of Saint Elmo's fire

1753, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for Saint Elmo's fire

St. Elmo (Erasmus) †303 Italian bishop & patron saint of sailors

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