I. ˈglimə(r) intransitive verb
( glimmered ; glimmered ; glimmering -m(ə)riŋ ; glimmers )
Etymology: Middle English glimeren, glemeren; akin to Middle High German glim spark, glimmen to glow, glimmern to glow, Old Norse gljā to glitter — more at gleam
1.
a. : to emit feeble or intermittent rays of light : shine faintly or unsteadily
flickering candles glimmered in the windows of the old inn
just below the intruder's pockmarked face glimmered the barrel of an automatic pistol — F.V.W.Mason
b. : to shimmer softly
her white satin dress glimmered in the dusk
2. : to appear indistinctly with or as if with a faintly luminous quality
the chalk cliffs glimmered far off in the night
II. noun
( -s )
1.
a. : a feeble or intermittent light : a faint or unsteady shining
the space beyond the glimmer of her lantern — Ellen Glasgow
the first glimmer of dawn
b. : a soft shimmer
the moonlit glimmer of the pool
2.
a. : a dim perception : a faint idea
the interview gave them a glimmer of what they could expect
b. : a vague manifestation or indication : intimation , inkling
had given the world only a glimmer of her potential as a gay slaughterer of convention — Bernard Kalb
c. : an indistinct appearance marked by or as if by a faintly luminous quality
he saw the glimmer of her face in the shadow — R.P.Warren
3. : a small amount or degree : a faint trace : bit
a glimmer of hope showing in his eyes — T.B.Costain
a glimmer of intelligence
III. noun
( -s )
Etymology: German, back-formation from glimmern to glow, from Middle High German
: mica