n.
Pronunciation: ' flash
Function: 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 flash es 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 flash ed 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 flash ed with anger>
6 : to change suddenly or violently into vapor <hot water flash ing 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 flash ing a roll of bills> c : to expose to view usually suddenly and briefly < flash ed 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 < flash ed 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>.