thunderbolt

foudre, éclair

Éclair soudain accompagné d’un grand bruit de tonnerre.

En anglais simple : A sudden flash of lightning together with a loud sound of thunder.

• A thunderbolt struck the tree.
• We heard the crash of a thunderbolt.
• Thunderbolts lit up the sky during the storm.

Synonymes : lightning bolt

Expressions courantes : sudden thunderbolt, thunderbolt strikes, powerful thunderbolt

coup de tonnerre

Événement terrible ou inattendu qui provoque un grand choc.

En anglais simple : A terrible or unexpected event that causes great shock.

• The news hit her like a thunderbolt.
• His resignation came as a thunderbolt to the team.
• That unexpected decision was a thunderbolt for the family.

Synonymes : shock, bombshell

Expressions courantes : like a thunderbolt, come as thunderbolt, a terrible thunderbolt

fulmination, anathème

Menace ou condamnation très forte, notamment de la part d’un chef religieux chrétien.

En anglais simple : A forceful threat or expression of strong blame, especially from a church leader.

• The bishop hurled a thunderbolt at his critics.
• A papal thunderbolt condemned the movement.
• The ruler ignored the church’s thunderbolts.

Synonymes : denunciation, condemnation

Expressions courantes : papal thunderbolt, thunderbolt of condemnation, hurl a thunderbolt

foudre héraldique

Symbole sur un blason représentant deux faisceaux réunis d’où partent quatre éclairs.

En anglais simple : A symbol on a shield showing two joined bundles with four lightning rays coming from them.

• The shield bears a golden thunderbolt.
• Four rays extend from the heraldic thunderbolt.
• The artist placed a thunderbolt below the eagle.

Expressions courantes : heraldic thunderbolt, golden thunderbolt, thunderbolt emblem