Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
red sprite

red sprite

9.9
A brief red flash high above a thunderstorm caused by electric sparks
  • noun
  • /rɛd spraɪt/
  • Specialized
translation icon : sprite rojo
  • A rare phenomenon associated with some thunderstorms is the occurrence of red sprites and blue jets.

Examples

  • During the storm, we saw a red sprite illuminate the night sky for just a moment.

  • The scientist explained that a red sprite is a rare light phenomenon occurring above thunderstorms.

  • As lightning struck, a brief red sprite danced across the clouds, dazzling those who witnessed it.

Synonyms

sprite
vsred sprite
  • Specialized
1 9.9

A quick red or pink flash high above thunderstorm clouds

describes specifically a red glow usually caused by electrical discharges above storms

Surface Forms

red sprite singular
red sprites plural

Morphology

red + sprite

The meaning is a straightforward composition of 'red' (a color) modifying 'sprite' (a brief luminous atmospheric flash), so a learner who knows both constituent meanings can infer it denotes a red instance of that phenomenon. Although 'sprite' is a specialized meteorological term, the modifier+noun structure is transparent and follows common cross-linguistic descriptive patterns.

Etymology

Red sprite was named for tiny, sudden red flashes high above storms that look like a little sprite, a small fairy or ghost, with red showing their colour. That's why 'red sprite' now means 'a brief glowing red flash' seen above thunderstorms.