relâmpago

Meaning

Noun

lightning (flash of light caused by the discharge of atmospheric electrical charge)

Adj

sudden and unexpected

Hyphenated as

re‧lâm‧pa‧go

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ʁeˈlɐ̃.pa.ɡu/

Etymology

Alteration of relâmpado, from re- + lâmpado, from Latin lampada (“lamp”), from lampas, or through a derivative of Late Latin lampāre. The prefix re- indicates the idea of repetition, hence lightning striking over and over again. Compare Spanish relámpago.