I. ˈglan(t)s, -aa(ə)-, -ai-, -ȧ- verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: alteration of Middle English glencen, glenchen, perhaps alteration of glenten to move quickly especially in an oblique direction, strike something obliquely and glance aside, look sideways at something, gleam — more at glent
intransitive verb
1.
a.
(1) : to strike a surface obliquely so as to be deflected and go off at an angle : ricochet — usually used with off
the spear glanced off the heavy metal shield
the bullet glanced off the stone wall and smashed through a window
(2) : to strike a surface obliquely and bound onward at an angle often following with one or more additional oblique impacts and forward bounds : skip
threw the small flat stone so that it glanced lightly across the pond
(3) of a ray of light : to strike a reflecting surface obliquely and dart out at an angle
light from the setting sun glanced off the oil tanks — Malcolm Lowry
b.
(1) obsolete : to move swiftly (as in springing or dodging) especially in an oblique or crosswise direction
(2) : to make a glance in cricket
c. archaic : to move swiftly (as in speaking or writing) from one subject to another
2.
a.
(1) : to flash or gleam with quick intermittent rapidly successive rays of light (as those produced by sudden quick movements of a reflecting surface) : sparkle , scintillate , coruscate
clear mountain brooks glancing brightly in the morning sun
(2) : to make sudden quick movements that cause quick intermittent flashes of light (as from a moving reflecting surface)
dragonflies glancing and zigzagging over the pond
b. : to shine with a steady dazzling radiance : beam
the glancing sun
3.
a. : to touch briefly or indirectly on a subject (as in speaking or writing) : make an incidental reference : make an allusion — usually used with at
a book on contemporary civilization that often glances at the customs of ancient cultures
b. : to refer briefly to something by way of censure or satire : cast discredit on something in a passing reference
full of sly, glancing allusions to life as it is lived today — Gerald Bullett
4.
a. of the eyes
(1) : to move swiftly from one thing to another
his eyes glanced from the judge to the jury and back again
(2) archaic : to light upon something by or as if by chance
her eye glanced on something which made her change color — T.L.Peacock
b. : to take a quick look at something
glancing at the morning headlines
: look briefly, hurriedly, or cursorily
glanced about as though fearful of being overheard — Sherwood Anderson
: look around here and there : make a quick inspection
the bar, where we glanced first, was crowded — Scott Fitzgerald
transitive verb
1.
a. obsolete : to turn (the eyes or gaze) quickly aside or away
b. archaic : to turn (the eyes or gaze) quickly or briefly toward something
c. archaic
(1) : to take a quick look at : view quickly : survey rapidly
(2) : to catch a glimpse of
2. obsolete
a. : to allude to
b. : to barely touch : graze
3. : to give an oblique path of direction to:
a. : to throw (as a spear or stone) or shoot (as a bullet) so that the object thrown or shot glances from a surface
b. archaic : to aim (as an innuendo) indirectly : insinuate
4. archaic : to cause the reflection of
glanced back the flame of the lamp merrily — Sir Walter Scott
5. : to play (a bowled cricket ball) with a glance
II. noun
( -s )
1.
a.
(1) : a quick intermittent flash or gleam of light (as one produced by sudden quick movements of a reflecting surface)
the glance of a brightly polished sword
(2) archaic : a sudden quick movement (as of a reflecting surface) that produces flashes or gleams of light
b. : a ray of light shining with a steady radiance : beam
the first glance of sunlight sends the snow slithering in soft cascades — Adrian Bell
2.
a. archaic : a rapid oblique or crosswise movement
b. archaic : a deflected impact or blow
c. : a stroke in the game of cricket made with a slanted bat that deflects the ball to leg
3.
a. : a swift movement of the eyes from one thing to another
the suspect's shifting glance
b. : a quick, brief, hurried, or cursory look
the two old ladies darting glances at us and smiling secretively — William Thornton
museums in which pictures of a single style or artist can be compared and enjoyed at a glance — R.J.Goldwater
it was clear at first glance that his condition was serious — T.B.Costain
4. archaic
a. : a brief satirical or censorious reference to something : gibe
b. : a brief incidental reference : allusion
III. noun
( -s )
Etymology: German glanz mineral sulfide, luster, shine
: any of several mineral sulfides that are mostly dark colored and that have a metallic luster
IV. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: probably from Dutch glanzen to polish, gleam, from Middle Dutch glansen to gleam, from glans, n., luster, shine, from Middle High German glanz, from Old High German, from glanz, adjective, bright — more at glent
: to give a high luster to (as by burnishing)