from a pencil of rays. Flash differs from other words, also, in denoting suddenness of appearance and
disappearance. Flashing differs from exploding or disploding in not being accompanied with a loud
report. To glisten, or glister, is to shine with a soft and fitful luster, as eyes suffused with tears, or flowers
wet with dew.
Flash
(Flash) v. t.
1. To send out in flashes; to cause to burst forth with sudden flame or light.
The chariot of paternal Deity,
Flashing thick flames.
Milton. 2. To convey as by a flash; to light up, as by a sudden flame or light; as, to flash a message along the
wires; to flash conviction on the mind.
3. (Glass Making) To cover with a thin layer, as objects of glass with glass of a different color. See
Flashing, n., 3 (b).
4. To trick up in a showy manner.
Limning and flashing it with various dyes.
A. Brewer. 5. [Perh. due to confusion between flash of light and plash, splash.] To strike and throw up large
bodies of water from the surface; to splash. [Obs.]
He rudely flashed the waves about.
Spenser. Flashed glass. See Flashing, n., 3.
Flash
(Flash), n.; pl. Flashes
1. A sudden burst of light; a flood of light instantaneously appearing and disappearing; a momentary
blaze; as, a flash of lightning.
2. A sudden and brilliant burst, as of wit or genius; a momentary brightness or show.
The flash and outbreak of a fiery mind.
Shak.
No striking sentiment, no flash of fancy.
Wirt. 3. The time during which a flash is visible; an instant; a very brief period.
The Persians and Macedonians had it for a flash.
Bacon. 4. A preparation of capsicum, burnt sugar, etc., for coloring and giving a fictitious strength to liquors.
Flash light, or Flashing light, a kind of light shown by lighthouses, produced by the revolution of reflectors,
so as to show a flash of light every few seconds, alternating with periods of dimness. Knight. — Flash
in the pan, the flashing of the priming in the pan of a flintlock musket without discharging the piece; hence,
sudden, spasmodic effort that accomplishes nothing.
Flash
(Flash), a.
1. Showy, but counterfeit; cheap, pretentious, and vulgar; as, flash jewelry; flash finery.
2. Wearing showy, counterfeit ornaments; vulgarly pretentious; as, flash people; flash men or women; —
applied especially to thieves, gamblers, and prostitutes that dress in a showy way and wear much cheap
jewelry.
