I. ˈflash 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
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