Definition of lightning rod Lightning rod
We found 5 definitions of lightning rod from 3 different sources.
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What does lightning rod mean?
WordNet
Noun |
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| lightning rod - a metallic conductor that is attached to a high point and leads to the ground; protects the building from destruction by lightning | ||
| lightning conductor | ||
| lightning rod - someone who is a frequent target of negative reactions and serves to distract attention from another | ||
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Wiktionary 
Wikipedia 
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A lightning rod or lightning conductor is a metal rod that is used to make lightning strike it, rather than something else. It is part of a lightning protection system. Such a system is made of many such rods. These rods are usually placed at high points of buildings and structures. In addition, paths are made the electricity can take from the rooftop to the ground.
History.
Lightning can damage structures made of most materials (masonry, wood, concrete and even steel). The huge currents involved can heat materials, and especially water to high temperatures. This will cause fire, loss of strength and explosions from superheated steam and air.
Europe.
The church tower was usually the highest structure or building in medieval European towns and villages. It was also the building very often hit by lightning. Early on, Christian churches tried to prevent the damage of lightning by prayers. Priests prayed,
Peter Ahlwardts ("Reasonable and Theological Considerations about Thunder and Lightning", 1745) said people who sought to protect themselves from lightning should go anywhere except in or around a church.
In Europe, the lightning rod was invented by a teologician and natural scientist Václav Prokop Diviš between 1750 and 1754. He is the inventor of the first grounded lightning rod, which he erected on 15th July 1754 in the garden of his home in Přímětice u Znojma. It consisted of 400 sharp metal spikes attached at the top of a 42m tall supporting pylon. The structure was fastene
