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Thunderer

Thunderer

1 9.9
A name for the god Zeus or Jupiter who brings thunder
  • noun
  • /ˈθʌndərər/
  • Literature
translation icon : Trueno
  • The Egyptians called 'em "thunderer of the Nile."

Examples

  • Thunderer -- has come to him in a dream, but he lacks the stories necessary to interpret that dream.

    Academic text (1990)
  • The Thunderer is, of course, Zeus, and the rest of the divine aristocracy are his neighbors.

    Academic text (1991)
  • Oh, thunderer... ...surveying great Rome's walls from the Tarpeian rock.

  • Thus Thunderer Jove endured Juno's tweaks.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • Thunderer by Felix Gilman

    Blog text (19)
  • In ancient Rome, the worshipers offered sacrifices to the Thunderer in hopes of gaining his favor.

  • Many myths describe the Thunderer as wielding a powerful lightning bolt as his weapon.

  • During storms, people would call upon the Thunderer for protection and guidance.

Synonyms

Jupiter Tonans
vsThunderer
  • Archaic
9.9

A title for the Roman god showing him as the bringer of thunder

is broader, applying to either the Roman or Greek sky god's thunder aspect

Surface Forms

Thunderer singular
Thunderers plural

Morphology

Thunderer = thunder (semi-transparent) = thunder + er

The word is formed regularly from 'thunder' + '-er', but the specific mythological epithet for Jupiter or Zeus is a specialized extension.

Etymology

Thunderer is simply 'one who makes thunder', made from thunder plus the ending -er, the same idea as 'runner'. In old stories, gods like Zeus or Jupiter were called the Thunderer because they sent storms and lightning, so the name shows their power to bring thunder.