fulminate Look up fulminate at Dictionary.com
mid-15c., "publish a 'thundering' denunciation," from L. fulminatus, pp. of fulminare "hurl lightning, lighten," from fulmen (gen. fulminis) "lightning," related to fulgere "to shine, flash," from PIE *bhleg- "to shine, flash," from base *bhel- (1) "to shine, flash, burn" (see bleach). Metaphoric sense (the original sense in English) is via its use in reference to a formal ecclesiastical censure. Related: Fulminated; fulminating.