Part 4360

<h1>Flash</h1> <Xpage=567>

<hw>Flash</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>v. i.</tt> <wordforms>[<tt>imp. & p. p.</tt> <er>Flashed</er> <tt>(?)</tt>; <tt>p. pr. & vb. n.</tt> <er>Flashing</er>.]</wordforms> <ety>[Cf. OE. <ets>flaskien</ets>, <ets>vlaskien</ets> to pour, sprinkle, dial. Sw. <ets>flasa</ets> to blaze, E. <ets>flush</ets>, <ets>flare</ets>.]</ety> <p><b>1.</b> <def>To burst or break forth with a sudden and transient flood of flame and light; <as>as, the lighting <ex>flashes</ex> vividly; the powder <ex>flashed</ex>.</as></def>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>To break forth, as a sudden flood of light; to burst instantly and brightly on the sight; to show a momentary brilliancy; to come or pass like a flash.</def>

<blockquote>Names which have <b>flashed</b> and thundered as the watch words of unumbered struggles. <i>Talfourd.</i></blockquote>

<blockquote>The object is made to <b>flash</b> upon the eye of the mind. <i>M. Arnold.</i></blockquote>

<blockquote>A thought <b>floashed</b> through me, which I clothed in act. <i>Tennyson.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>3.</b> <def>To burst forth like a sudden flame; to break out violently; to rush hastily.</def>

<blockquote>Every hour He <b>flashes</b> into one gross crime or other. <i>Shak.</i></blockquote>

<cs><col>To flash in the pan</col>, <cd>to fail of success. <mark>[Colloq.]</mark> See under <er>Flash</er>, a burst of light.</cd></cs>

<i>Bartlett.</i>

<syn>Syn. -- <er>Flash</er>, <er>Glitter</er>, <er>Gleam</er>, <er>Glisten</er>, <er>Glister</er>.</syn> <usage> <i>Flash</i> differs from <i>glitter</i> and <i>gleam</i>, denoting a flood or wide extent of light. The latter words may express the issuing of light from a small object, or from a pencil of rays. <i>Flash</i> differs from other words, also, in denoting suddenness of appearance and disappearance. <i>Flashing</i> differs from <i>exploding</i> or <i>disploding</i> in not being accompanied with a loud report. To <i>glisten</i>, or <i>glister</i>, is to shine with a soft and fitful luster, as eyes suffused with tears, or flowers wet with dew.</usage>

<h1>Flash</h1> <Xpage=567>

<hw>Flash</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>v. t.</tt> <p><b>1.</b> <def>To send out in flashes; to cause to burst forth with sudden flame or light.</def>

<blockquote>The chariot of paternal Deity, <b>Flashing</b> thick flames. <i>Milton.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>To convey as by a flash; to light up, as by a sudden flame or light; <as>as, to <ex>flash</ex> a message along the wires; to <ex>flash</ex> conviction on the mind.</as></def>

<p><b>3.</b> <fld>(Glass Making)</fld> <def>To cover with a thin layer, as objects of glass with glass of a different color. See <er>Flashing</er>, <tt>n.</tt>, 3 <sd>(b)</sd>.</def>

<p><b>4.</b> <def>To trick up in a showy manner.</def>

<blockquote>Limning and <b>flashing</b> it with various dyes. <i>A. Brewer.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>5.</b> <ety>[Perh. due to confusion between <ets>flash</ets> of light and <ets>plash</ets>, <ets>splash</ets>.]</ety> <def>To strike and throw up large bodies of water from the surface; to splash.</def> <mark>[Obs.]</mark>

<blockquote>He rudely <b>flashed</b> the waves about. <i>Spenser.</i></blockquote>

<cs><col>Flashed glass</col>. <cd>See <er>Flashing</er>, <tt>n.</tt>, 3.</cd></cs>

<h1>Flash</h1> <Xpage=567>

<hw>Flash</hw>, <tt>n.</tt>; <plu>pl. <plw>Flashes</plw> <tt>(<?/)</tt>.</plu> <p><b>1.</b> <def>A sudden burst of light; a flood of light instantaneously appearing and disappearing; a momentary blaze; <as>as, a <ex>flash</ex> of lightning</as>.</def>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>A sudden and brilliant burst, as of wit or genius; a momentary brightness or show.</def>

<blockquote>The <b>flash</b> and outbreak of a fiery mind. <i>Shak.</i></blockquote>

<blockquote>No striking sentiment, no <b>flash</b> of fancy. <i>Wirt.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>3.</b> <def>The time during which a flash is visible; an instant; a very brief period.</def>

<blockquote>The Persians and Macedonians had it for a <b>flash</b>. <i>Bacon.</i></blockquote>