The shape of lightning

Is there any word to describe something that has lightning/tree/vein like structure?

Edit:

I forgot to mention that I'd prefer a word that emphasizes the random nature of these structures. Otherwise branching (as suggested by Harrold) seems fitting.


The term branching structure is commonly used in the graph theory to describe a type of hierarchy.

Edit: The best I could come up with after you edited your question is to describe it as something-shaped, for example lightning-shaped. No term that I can remember of apart from e.g. specific computational algorithms does incorporate the randomness.

Second edit: I have just remembered the word stochastic or pedesis, while the latter is another term for Brownian movement. Considering these terms, you may utilise something like stochastic branching structure if you need to appear appealing. That is my current limit, I am afraid. :-)


What about the word dendritic?

It comes from the Greek word for tree, and considering it is primarily used for natural entities such as cells in the body, and dendritic solidification structures, I think it encapsulates the random aspect that you are looking for beautifully.


  • informal: zig-zag, jagged, or forked
  • formal/technical: furcated (like a fork), or reticulate (like a net)