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flash
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Flash \Flash\ (fl[a^]sh), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Flashed (fl[a^]sht); 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. [1913 Webster] 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. [1913 Webster] Names which have flashed and thundered as the watch words of unnumbered struggles. --Talfourd. [1913 Webster] The object is made to flash upon the eye of the mind. --M. Arnold. [1913 Webster] A thought flashed through me, which I clothed in act. --Tennyson. [1913 Webster] 3. To burst forth like a sudden flame; to break out violently; to rush hastily. [1913 Webster] Every hour He flashes into one gross crime or other. --Shak. [1913 Webster] 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. [1913 Webster +PJC] Syn: Flash, Glitter, Gleam, Glisten, Glister. Usage: 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. [1913 Webster] .
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
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. [1913 Webster] 2. A sudden and brilliant burst, as of wit or genius; a momentary brightness or show. [1913 Webster] The flash and outbreak of a fiery mind. --Shak. [1913 Webster] No striking sentiment, no flash of fancy. --Wirt. [1913 Webster] 3. The time during which a flash is visible; an instant; a very brief period; as, I'll be back in a flash. [1913 Webster +PJC] The Persians and Macedonians had it for a flash. --Bacon. [1913 Webster] 4. A preparation of capsicum, burnt sugar, etc., for coloring and giving a fictitious strength to liquors. [1913 Webster] 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. [WordNet 1.5] 6. Same as flashlight. [informal] [PJC] 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. [PJC] 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. [1913 Webster] .
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Flash \Flash\ (fl[a^]sh), v. t.
1. To send out in flashes; to cause to burst forth with
sudden flame or light.
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The chariot of paternal Deity,
Flashing thick flames. --Milton.
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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.
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3. (Glass Making) To cover with a thin layer, as objects of
glass with glass of a different color. See Flashing, n.,
3
(b) .
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4. To trick up in a showy manner.
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Limning and flashing it with various dyes. --A.
Brewer.
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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.]
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He rudely flashed the waves about. --Spenser.
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Flashed glass. See Flashing, n., 3.
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.
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Flash \Flash\, a.
1. Showy, but counterfeit; cheap, pretentious, and vulgar;
as, flash jewelry; flash finery.
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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.
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Flash house, a house frequented by flash people, as thieves
and whores; hence, a brothel. "A gang of footpads,
reveling with their favorite beauties at a flash house."
--Macaulay.
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.
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Flash \Flash\, n. Slang or cant of thieves and prostitutes. [1913 Webster] .
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Flash \Flash\, n. [OE. flasche, flaske; cf. OF. flache, F.
flaque.]
1. A pool. [Prov. Eng.] --Haliwell.
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2. (Engineering) A reservoir and sluiceway beside a navigable
stream, just above a shoal, so that the stream may pour in
water as boats pass, and thus bear them over the shoal.
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Flash wheel (Mech.), a paddle wheel made to revolve in a
breast or curved water way, by which water is lifted from
the lower to the higher level.
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