the glow accompanying a rare
electrical discharge only visible in
complete darkness, observed around the masts of ships, on the
wings of airplanes, on the tops of towers, on treetops, etc. Saint Elmo's
fire usually occurs during or in the vicinity of thunderstorms. Its name comes from a
Catholic bishop of the third century originally known as Saint Erasmus (also known as Saint Elmo). Saint Erasmus is said to have died
aboard a
ship during a severe storm, and in his
final words stated that he would reveal himself to the
crew after his
death if they were to come through the storm. Shortly after his
death, as the story is told, a bright light glowed around the
mast of the
ship. This
electrical phenomena became known as Saint Elmo's
fire and he became the
patron saint (a saint who is looked upon as a
special guardian of a
place, person,
group,
trade, etc.) of sailors, who believed these glowing discharges to be a sign of their
guardian's protection.