Adjacent Words

Flash definitions

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Webster's 1828 Dictionary

FLASH, n.
1. A sudden burst of light; a flood of light instantaneously appearing and disappearing; as a flash of lightning.
2. A sudden burst of flame and light; as instantaneous blaze; as the flash of a gun.
3. A sudden burst, as of wit or merriment; as a flash of wit; a flash of joy or mirth.
His companions recollect no instance of premature wit, no striking sentiment, no flash of fancy -
4. A short, transient state.
The Persians and Macedonians had it for a flash.
5. A body of water driven by violence. [Local.]
6. A little pool. [Local.]
FLASH, v.i.
1. To break forth, as a sudden flood of light; to burst or open instantly on the sight, as splendor. It differs from glitter, glisten and gleam in denoting a flood or wide extent of light. The latter words may express the issuing of light from a small object, or from a pencil of rays. A diamond may glitter or glisten, but it does not flash. Flash differs from other words also in denoting suddenness of appearance and disappearance.
2. To burst or break forth with a flood of flame and light; as, the powder flashed in the pan. Flashing differs from exploding or disploding, in not being accompanied with a loud report.
3. To burst out into any kind of violence.
Every hour he flashes into one gross crime or other.
4. To break out, as a sudden expression of wit, merriment or bright thought.
FLASH, v.t.
1. To strike up a body of water from the surface.
He rudely flashed the waves.
[In this sense I believe this word is not used in America.]
2. To strike or to throw like a burst of light; as, to flash conviction on the mind.

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

adj
1: tastelessly showy; "a flash car"; "a flashy ring"; "garish colors"; "a gaudy costume"; "loud sport shirts"; "a meretricious yet stylish book"; "tawdry ornaments" [syn: brassy, cheap, flash, flashy, garish, gaudy, gimcrack, loud, meretricious, tacky, tatty, tawdry, trashy] n
1: a sudden intense burst of radiant energy
2: a momentary brightness
3: a short vivid experience; "a flash of emotion swept over him"; "the flashings of pain were a warning" [syn: flash, flashing]
4: a sudden brilliant understanding; "he had a flash of intuition"
5: a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat); "if I had the chance I'd do it in a flash" [syn: blink of an eye, flash, heartbeat, instant, jiffy, split second, trice, twinkling, wink, New York minute]
6: a gaudy outward display [syn: ostentation, fanfare, flash]
7: a burst of light used to communicate or illuminate [syn: flare, flash]
8: a short news announcement concerning some on-going news story [syn: news bulletin, newsflash, flash, newsbreak]
9: a bright patch of color used for decoration or identification; "red flashes adorned the airplane"; "a flash sewn on his sleeve indicated the unit he belonged to"
10: a lamp for providing momentary light to take a photograph [syn: flash, photoflash, flash lamp, flashgun, flashbulb, flash bulb] v
1: gleam or glow intermittently; "The lights were flashing" [syn: flash, blink, wink, twinkle, winkle]
2: appear briefly; "The headlines flashed on the screen"
3: display proudly; act ostentatiously or pretentiously; "he showed off his new sports car" [syn: flaunt, flash, show off, ostentate, swank]
4: make known or cause to appear with great speed; "The latest intelligence is flashed to all command posts"
5: run or move very quickly or hastily; "She dashed into the yard" [syn: dart, dash, scoot, scud, flash, shoot]
6: expose or show briefly; "he flashed a $100 bill"
7: protect by covering with a thin sheet of metal; "flash the roof"
8: emit a brief burst of light; "A shooting star flashed and was gone"

Merriam Webster's

I. verb Etymology: Middle English flaschen, of imitative origin Date: 13th century intransitive verb 1. rush, dash — used of flowing water 2. to break forth in or like a sudden flame or flare 3. a. to appear suddenly <an idea flashes into her mind> b. to move with great speed <the days flash by> 4. a. to break forth or out so as to make a sudden display <the sun flashed from behind a cloud> b. to act or speak vehemently and suddenly especially in anger 5. a. to give off light suddenly or in transient bursts b. to glow or gleam especially with animation or passion <her eyes flashed with anger> 6. to change suddenly or violently into vapor <hot water flashing to steam under reduced pressure> 7. to expose one's breasts or genitals usually suddenly and briefly in public 8. to have sudden insight — often used with on transitive verb 1. a. archaic splash b. to fill by a sudden inflow of water 2. a. to cause the sudden appearance of (light) b. to cause to burst violently into flame c. (1) to cause (light) to reflect (2) to cause (as a mirror) to reflect light (3) to cause (a lamp) to flash d. to convey by means of flashes of light 3. a. to make known or cause to appear with great speed <flash a message on the screen> b. to display obtrusively and ostentatiously <always flashing a roll of bills> c. to expose to view usually suddenly and briefly <flashed a badge> 4. to cover with or form into a thin layer: as a. to protect against rain by covering with sheet metal or a substitute b. to coat (as glass) with a thin layer (as of metal or a differently colored glass) 5. to subject (an exposed photographic negative or positive) to a supplementary uniform exposure to light before development in order to modify detail or tone 6. to expose one's breasts or genitals usually suddenly and briefly to <flashed the audience> Synonyms: flash, gleam, glint, sparkle, glitter, glisten, glimmer, shimmer mean to send forth light. flash implies a sudden and transient outburst of bright light <lightning flashed>. gleam suggests a steady light seen through an obscuring medium or against a dark background <lights gleamed in the valley>. glint implies a cold glancing light <glinting steel>. sparkle suggests innumerable moving points of bright light <the sparkling waters of the gulf>. glitter connotes a brilliant sparkling or gleaming <glittering diamonds>. glisten applies to the soft sparkle from a wet or oily surface <glistening rain-drenched sidewalks>. glimmer suggests a faint or wavering gleam <a distant glimmering light>. shimmer implies a soft tremulous gleaming or a blurred reflection <a shimmering satin dress>. II. noun Date: 1549 1. a. a sudden burst of light b. a movement of a flag in signaling 2. a sudden and often brilliant burst <a flash of wit> 3. a brief time <I'll be back in a flash> 4. a. show, display; especially a vulgar ostentatious display b. archaic a showy ostentatious person c. one that attracts notice; especially an outstanding athlete d. pizzazz 5. obsolete thieves' slang 6. something flashed: as a. glimpse, look b. smile c. a first brief news report d. flashlight 2 e. a quick-spreading flame or momentary intense outburst of radiant heat f. (1) flashlight 1 (2) a device for producing a flashlight for taking photographs 7. rush 7a 8. the rapid conversion of a liquid into vapor III. adjective Date: circa 1700 1. a. flashy, showy b. of, relating to, or characteristic of flashy people or things <flash behavior> c. of, relating to, or characteristic of persons considered social outcasts <flash language> 2. of sudden origin and short duration <a flash fire> IV. adverb Date: 1970 by very brief exposure to an intense altering agent (as heat or cold) <flash fry> <flash freeze>

Oxford Reference Dictionary

v., n., & adj. --v. 1 intr. & tr. emit or reflect or cause to emit or reflect light briefly, suddenly, or intermittently; gleam or cause to gleam. 2 intr. break suddenly into flame; give out flame or sparks. 3 tr. send or reflect like a sudden flame or blaze (his eyes flashed fire). 4 intr. a burst suddenly into view or perception (the explanation flashed upon me). b move swiftly (the train flashed through the station). 5 tr. a send (news etc.) by radio, telegraph, etc. (flashed a message to her). b signal to (a person) by shining lights or headlights briefly. 6 tr. colloq. show ostentatiously (flashed her engagement ring). 7 intr. (of water) rush along; rise and flow. 8 intr. sl. indecently expose oneself. --n. 1 a sudden bright light or flame, e.g. of lightning. 2 a very brief time; an instant (all over in a flash). 3 a a brief, sudden burst of feeling (a flash of hope). b a sudden display (of wit, understanding, etc.). 4 = NEWSFLASH. 5 Photog. = FLASHLIGHT 1. 6 a a rush of water, esp. down a weir to take a boat over shallows. b a contrivance for producing this. 7 Brit. Mil. a coloured patch of cloth on a uniform etc. as a distinguishing emblem. 8 vulgar display, ostentation. 9 a bright patch of colour. 10 Cinematog. the momentary exposure of a scene. 11 excess plastic or metal oozing from a mould during moulding. --adj. colloq. 1 gaudy; showy; vulgar (a flash car). 2 counterfeit (flash notes). 3 connected with thieves, the underworld, etc. Phrases and idioms: flash-board a board used for sending more water from a mill-dam into a mill-race. flash bulb Photog. a bulb for a flashlight. flash burn a burn caused by sudden intense heat, esp. from a nuclear explosion. flash card a card containing a small amount of information, held up for pupils to see, as an aid to learning. flash-cube Photog. a set of four flash bulbs arranged as a cube and operated in turn. flash-flood a sudden local flood due to heavy rain etc. flash-gun Photog. a device used to operate a camera flashlight. flashing-point = FLASHPOINT. flash in the pan a promising start followed by failure (from the priming of old guns). flash-lamp a portable flashing electric lamp. flash out (or up) show sudden passion. flash over Electr. make an electric circuit by sparking across a gap. flash-over n. an instance of this. Etymology: ME orig. with ref. to the rushing of water: cf. SPLASH

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Flash Flash, v. t. 1. To send out in flashes; to cause to burst forth with sudden flame or light. The chariot of paternal Deity, Flashing thick flames. --Milton. 2. To convey as by a flash; to light up, as by a sudden flame or light; as, to flash a message along the wires; to flash conviction on the mind. 3. (Glass Making) To cover with a thin layer, as objects of glass with glass of a different color. See Flashing, n., 3 (b) . 4. To trick up in a showy manner. Limning and flashing it with various dyes. --A. Brewer. 5. [Perh. due to confusion between flash of light and plash, splash.] To strike and throw up large bodies of water from the surface; to splash. [Obs.] He rudely flashed the waves about. --Spenser. Flashed glass. See Flashing, n., 3.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Flash Flash, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Flashed; p. pr. & vb. n. Flashing.] [Cf. OE. flaskien, vlaskien to pour, sprinkle, dial. Sw. flasa to blaze, E. flush, flare.] 1. To burst or break forth with a sudden and transient flood of flame and light; as, the lighting flashes vividly; the powder flashed. 2. To break forth, as a sudden flood of light; to burst instantly and brightly on the sight; to show a momentary brilliancy; to come or pass like a flash. Names which have flashed and thundered as the watch words of unnumbered struggles. --Talfourd. The object is made to flash upon the eye of the mind. --M. Arnold. A thought flashed through me, which I clothed in act. --Tennyson. 3. To burst forth like a sudden flame; to break out violently; to rush hastily. Every hour He flashes into one gross crime or other. --Shak. To flash in the pan, to fail of success. [Colloq.] See under Flash, a burst of light. --Bartlett. Syn: Flash, Glitter, Gleam, Glisten, Glister. Usage: Flash differs from glitter and gleam, denoting a flood or wide extent of light. The latter words may express the issuing of light from a small object, or from a pencil of rays. Flash differs from other words, also, in denoting suddenness of appearance and disappearance. Flashing differs from exploding or disploding in not being accompanied with a loud report. To glisten, or glister, is to shine with a soft and fitful luster, as eyes suffused with tears, or flowers wet with dew.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Flash Flash, n. Slang or cant of thieves and prostitutes.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Flash Flash, n.; pl. Flashes. 1. A sudden burst of light; a flood of light instantaneously appearing and disappearing; a momentary blaze; as, a flash of lightning. 2. A sudden and brilliant burst, as of wit or genius; a momentary brightness or show. The flash and outbreak of a fiery mind. --Shak. No striking sentiment, no flash of fancy. --Wirt. 3. The time during which a flash is visible; an instant; a very brief period. The Persians and Macedonians had it for a flash. --Bacon. 4. A preparation of capsicum, burnt sugar, etc., for coloring and giving a fictious strength to liquors. Flash light, or Flashing light, a kind of light shown by lighthouses, produced by the revolution of reflectors, so as to show a flash of light every few seconds, alternating with periods of dimness. --Knight. Flash in the pan, the flashing of the priming in the pan of a flintlock musket without discharging the piece; hence, sudden, spasmodic effort that accomplishes nothing.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Flash Flash, n. [OE. flasche, flaske; cf. OF. flache, F. flaque.] 1. A pool. [Prov. Eng.] --Haliwell. 2. (Engineering) A reservoir and sluiceway beside a navigable stream, just above a shoal, so that the stream may pour in water as boats pass, and thus bear them over the shoal. Flash wheel (Mech.), a paddle wheel made to revolve in a breast or curved water way, by which water is lifted from the lower to the higher level.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Flash Flash, a. 1. Showy, but counterfeit; cheap, pretentious, and vulgar; as, flash jewelry; flash finery.

Collin's Cobuild Dictionary

(flashes, flashing, flashed) Frequency: The word is one of the 3000 most common words in English. 1. A flash is a sudden burst of light or of something shiny or bright. A sudden flash of lightning lit everything up for a second... The wire snapped at the wall plug with a blue flash and the light fused... A jay emerged from the juniper bush in a flash of blue feathers. N-COUNT: usu with supp 2. If a light flashes or if you flash a light, it shines with a sudden bright light, especially as quick, regular flashes of light. Lightning flashed among the distant dark clouds... He lost his temper after a driver flashed her headlights as he overtook... He saw the flashing lights of the highway patrol car in his driving mirror. VERB: V, V n, V-ing 3. You talk about a flash of something when you are saying that it happens very suddenly and unexpectedly. 'What did Moira tell you?' Liz demanded with a flash of anger... The essays could do with a flash of wit or humor. = burst N-COUNT: with supp, N of n 4. If something flashes past or by, it moves past you so fast that you cannot see it properly. It was a busy road, cars flashed by every few minutes. VERB: V prep/adv 5. If something flashes through or into your mind, you suddenly think about it. A ludicrous thought flashed through Harry's mind... VERB: V through/into n 6. If you flash something such as an identity card, you show it to people quickly and then put it away again. (INFORMAL) Halim flashed his official card, and managed to get hold of a soldier to guard the Land Rover. VERB: V n 7. If a picture or message flashes up on a screen, or if you flash it onto a screen, it is displayed there briefly or suddenly, and often repeatedly. The figures flash up on the scoreboard... The words 'Good Luck' were flashing on the screen... Researchers flash two groups of different letters onto a computer screen... The screen flashes a message: Try again... A list of items is repeatedly flashed up on the screen. VERB: V up, V prep, V n prep, V n, be V-ed up, also V n up 8. If you flash news or information to a place, you send it there quickly by computer, satellite, or other system. They had told their offices to flash the news as soon as it broke... This is, of course, international news and soon it was being flashed around the world. VERB: V n, be V-ed prep/adv, also V n prep/adv 9. If you flash a look or a smile at someone, you suddenly look at them or smile at them. (WRITTEN) I flashed a look at Sue... Meg flashed Cissie a grateful smile. VERB: V n at n, V n n 10. If someone's eyes flash, they suddenly show a strong emotion, especially anger. (LITERARY) Her dark eyes flashed and she spoke rapidly. VERB: V 11. Flash is the use of special bulbs to give more light when taking a photograph. He was one of the first people to use high speed flash in bird photography. N-UNCOUNT: oft N n 12. A flash is the same as a flashlight. (AM INFORMAL) Stopping to rest, Pete shut off the flash. N-COUNT 13. If you describe something as flash, you mean that it looks expensive, fashionable, and new. (INFORMAL) ...a flash uptown restaurant... You can go for a 'rostrum' system, which sounds flash, but can be assembled quite cheaply. ADJ 14. If you describe an achievement or success as a flash in the pan, you mean that it is unlikely to be repeated and is not an indication of future achievements or success. People will be looking in to see how good we are now and whether our success has just been a flash in the pan. = one-off PHRASE: usu v-link PHR [disapproval] 15. If you say that something happens in a flash, you mean that it happens suddenly and lasts only a very short time. The answer had come to him in a flash... It was done in a flash. PHRASE: usu PHR after v 16. If you say that someone reacts to something quick as a flash, you mean that they react to it extremely quickly. Quick as a flash, the man said, 'I have to, don't I?' PHRASE

Soule's Dictionary of English Synonyms

I. n. 1. Momentary blaze, sudden burst of light, gleam, glare. 2. Instant, moment, twinkling, twinkling of an eye. 3. Slang (of thieves and gypsies), cant language. II. v. n. 1. Emit a sudden light. 2. Break (forth) suddenly.

1811 Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue

Knowing. Understanding another's meaning. The swell was flash, so I could not draw his fogle. The gentleman saw what I was about, and therefore I could not pick his pocket of his silk handkerchief. To patter flash, to speak the slang language. See PATTER.

1811 Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue

A periwig. Rum flash; a fine long wig. Queer flash; a miserable weather-beaten caxon.

Moby Thesaurus

Teletype, advertise, air, antelope, arrow, automatic response, backfire, bang, be bright, beacon, beam, beat the drum, bedazzle, blare, blast, blaze, blaze of light, blazon forth, blind, blind impulse, blink, blowout, blowup, blue darter, blue streak, bob up, bolt, boom, brain wave, brainstorm, brandish, break forth, breath, breathing, bulletin, burn, burst, burst forth, burst out, cable, cannonball, cast, chic, classy, coruscate, coruscation, coup, courser, crack, dangle, dart, dash, daze, dazzle, dazzling, debouch, deflagration, demonstrate, detonation, diffuse light, dip, discharge, display, disport, drive, eagle, electricity, emblazon, erupt, exchange colors, exhibit, exhibition, explosion, expose, express train, facula, fancy, flag, flag down, flame, flare, flare up, flare-up, flash fire, flashy, flaunt, fleeting impulse, flick, flicker, flickering, flourish, fly, fulgurate, fulguration, fulmination, gazelle, give a signal, give light, give the nod, glance, glare, gleam, gleam of light, glimmer, glimpse, glint, glisten, glitter, glow, greased lightning, greyhound, gut response, hail, hail and speak, half a jiffy, half a mo, half a second, half a shake, half an eye, half-mast, hare, hasten, hint, hoist a banner, hold up, hurry, iffy, impulse, incandesce, indication, inspiration, instant, instinct, involuntary impulse, irrupt, jet plane, jiff, jiffy, kick, leer, light, lightning, luster, make a sign, manifest, manifestation, mercury, microsecond, millisecond, minute, moment, natural impulse, news report, nod, notion, nudge, ostentatious, outbreak, outburst, parade, peek, peep, poke, pop up, put forth, put forward, quick hunch, quick sight, quicksilver, quiver, race, radiate, radio, raise a cry, rapid glance, ray, reflex, report, ritzy, rocket, run, rush, salute, scamper, scared rabbit, scintilla, scintillate, scintillation, scoot, scuttle, sec, second, send a wire, send out rays, shaft, shake, shimmer, shine, shine brightly, shoot, shoot out rays, shot, show, show off, showy, sign, sign off, sign on, signal, signalize, skedaddle, slant, smart, snazzy, solar flare, solar prominence, sound an alarm, sound the trumpet, spangle, spark, sparkle, speak, speed, split second, sport, spring up, sprint, squiz, start up, streak, streak of lightning, striped snake, stroke, sudden thought, suggestion, swallow, swish, take off, tear, telegram, telegraph, telex, thought, thunderbolt, tick, torrent, touch, trice, trot out, trumpet, trumpet forth, twink, twinkle, twinkling, twitch, two shakes, unfurl a flag, urge, vaunt, wave, wave a flag, wave the hand, whistle, whiz, wind, wink, wire, zoom