I. ˈfla(a)](ə)r, ˈfle], ]ə\ verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: origin unknown
intransitive verb
1.
a. : to stream or flutter in or as if in a current of air
her coat flared behind her as she ran
b. : to burn with an unsteady or wavering flame
the candle flared in the breeze as the door opened
2.
a. : to shine with a sudden light : flame up brightly
the fire flared brightly when the log crumbled into coals
often : to emit a dazzling or painfully bright light
the new snow flaring under the spring sun
arc lights flared
b. : to become suddenly excited or angry : get in a passion (as of rage) — usually used with up
she flares up at the slightest thing
c. : to express anger, passion, or vehement disapproval — usually used with out
she flared out at him furiously
flaring out at such abuses
d. : to burst forth
tempers flared
3. : to open or spread outward : project beyond the perpendicular : have a flare usually in a specified direction
her skirt flaring about her legs
a boat of shallow draft with the gunwales flaring out
transitive verb
1.
a. : to make to stream or flutter in or as if in a breeze
the wind flared her skirts
b. : to display flaringly
flaring a scarf from side to side to catch their eye
2.
a. : to cause to flare
the breeze flared the candle
b. : to give the appearance of a flaring flame
sunset flared the western sky
c. : to signal with a flare or by flaring
torches flaring the alarm
d. : to burn (a jet of waste gas) in the open air
3. : to shape with a flare : spread gradually outward in shaping
flared the coat with inset panels
as the potter flares the neck of a jar
gloved hands folded on a flared umbrella — Alan Brien
4. : to level the flight path of (an airplane) just before making contact with the ground in landing so as to achieve a smooth transition from the steady glide to the ground run
Synonyms: see blaze
II. noun
( -s )
1. : an unsteady glaring light
2. : a strong or flaring fire or blaze of light: as
a. or flare light : such a flare used to illuminate or attract attention (as on an airfield or battleground at night or as a prearranged signal) ; also : a device or composition (as a torch, Very light, or magnesium ribbon) used to produce such a flare
b. : solar flare
c. : the flame of a jet of waste gas (as from a sewage-disposal plant or coke oven) burned in open air for disposal
3. : a sudden outburst (as of sound, excitement, or anger)
a harsh flare of trumpets
a flare of temper
4. sometimes flair : a spreading outward or a place or part that spreads
the flare of a fireplace
the flare of an urn
as
a. : the upward and outward curve of the bow of a ship that throws aside spray when in motion
b. : fullness produced by gradually increasing the width towards the edge of a garment (as a gored skirt)
c. : an area of skin flush resulting from and spreading out from a local center of vascular dilation and hyperemia
urticaria flare
d. usually flair : a tapered widening of the flangeway at the end of the guard line of a railroad track structure (as at the end of a guardrail or at the end of a frog or crossing wing rail)
5. : light resulting from interreflection (as between lens surfaces) or an effect of this light:
a. : non-image-forming light that reaches the sensitive film in a camera
b. or flare spot : the resulting fogged or dense area in a photographic negative
III. noun
( -s )
Etymology: perhaps alteration of fleck (IV)
Britain : leaf fat
IV. noun
1. : a short pass in football thrown to a back who is running toward the sideline
2. flares plural : trousers that flare toward the bottoms
3. : texas leaguer