foudroyant, a.
(fuːˈdrɔɪənt, Fr. fudrwajɑ̃)
[a. Fr. foudroyant, pr. pple. of foudroyer to strike with or as with lightning, f. foudre: see fouldre.]
1. a. Thundering, stunning, noisy. b. Flashing, dazzling.
| 1840 De Quincey Style Wks. 1859 XI. 210 When..the ‘foudroyant’ style of the organist commenced the hailstone chorus. 1860 O. W. Holmes Elsie V. xxi. 292 With Helen Darley as a foil..she must be foudroyant. |
2. spec. in Pathol. of a disease: Beginning in a very sudden and severe form.