(n)atmospheric electricity (lasting 10 msec) appearing as globular flashes of red (pink to blood-red) light rising to heights of 60 miles (sometimes seen together with elves), Syn.red sprites
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English (GCIDE) v.0.53Collaborative International Dictionary (GCIDE)
n. [ OE. sprit, F. esprit, fr. L. spiritus. See Spirit, and cf. Sprightly. ] 1. A spirit; a soul; a shade; also, an apparition. See Spright. [ 1913 Webster ]
Gaping graves received the wandering, guilty sprite. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]
2. An elf; a fairy; a goblin. [ 1913 Webster ]
3. (Zool.) The green woodpecker, or yaffle. [ 1913 Webster ]