Flash (flăsh), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Flashed (flăsht); p. pr. & vb. n. Flashing.] [Cf. OE. flaskien, vlaskien to pour, sprinkle, dial. Sw. flasa to blaze, E. flush, flare.] 1. To burst or break forth with a sudden and transient flood of flame and light; as, the lighting flashes vividly; the powder flashed.
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2. 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.
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Names which have flashed and thundered as the watch words of unnumbered struggles. Talfourd.
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The object is made to flash upon the eye of the mind. M. Arnold.
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A thought flashed through me, which I clothed in act. Tennyson.
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3. To burst forth like a sudden flame; to break out violently; to rush hastily.
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Every hour
He flashes into one gross crime or other. Shak.
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flash in the pan, a failure or a poor performance, especially after a normal or auspicious start; also, a person whose initial performance appears augur success but who fails to achieve anything notable. From 4th pan, n., sense 3 -- part of a flintlock. Occasionally, the powder in the pan of a flintlock would flash without conveying the fire to the charge, and the ball would fail to be discharged. Thus, a good or even spectacular beginning that eventually achieves little came to be called a flash in the pan. -- To flash in the pan, to fail of success, especially after a normal or auspicious start. [Colloq.] See under Flash, a burst of light. Bartlett.
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Syn. -- Flash, Glitter, Gleam, Glisten, Glister. Flash differs from glitter and gleam, 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. 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.
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Flash, n.; pl. Flashes (&unr_;). 1. A sudden burst of light; a flood of light instantaneously appearing and disappearing; a momentary blaze; as, a flash of lightning.
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2. A sudden and brilliant burst, as of wit or genius; a momentary brightness or show.
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The flash and outbreak of a fiery mind. Shak.
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No striking sentiment, no flash of fancy. Wirt.
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3. The time during which a flash is visible; an instant; a very brief period.
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The Persians and Macedonians had it for a flash. Bacon.
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4. A preparation of capsicum, burnt sugar, etc., for coloring and giving a fictitious strength to liquors.
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5. a lamp for providing intense momentary light to take a photograph; as, to take a picture without a flash.
Syn. -- flashbulb, photoflash, flash lamp, flashgun.
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6. Same as flashlight. [informal]
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7. (Journalism) A short news item providing recently received and usually preliminary information about an event that is considered important enough to interrupt normal broadcasting or other news delivery services; also called a news flash or bulletin.
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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.
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Flash, n. Slang or cant of thieves and prostitutes.
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