flash

To flash is defined as to give off a sudden light or to show quickly.

(verb)

The definition of a flash is something quick and intense, often a light or a brief time.

(noun)

See flash in Webster's New World College Dictionary

intransitive verb

to send out or reflect a sudden, brief blaze or light, esp. at intervals
to sparkle or gleam: eyes flashing with anger
to speak abruptly, esp. in anger: usually with out
to come, move, or pass swiftly and suddenly; be seen or realized for an instant like a flash of light: an idea flashed through his mind
Informal to expose one's genitals, breasts, etc. briefly and deliberately in public
Informal to have a sudden idea, thought, insight, or recollection: usually with on

Origin: ME flashen, to splash, sprinkle; of echoic orig.

transitive verb

to send out (light, etc.) in sudden, brief spurts
to cause to flash
to signal with light or reflected light
to send (news, messages, etc.) swiftly or suddenly, as by radio
to put flashing on so as to make weatherproof
Informal to show briefly or ostentatiously: to flash a roll of money
Informal to expose (one's genitals, breasts, etc.) briefly and deliberately to (someone)
Archaic to splash or dash (water)
Glassmaking
1. to put (a colored film of glass) on other glass
2. to coat with a colored film of glass

noun

1. a sudden, brief light
2. a sudden burst of flame or heat
a brief time; moment
a sudden, brief display of thought, understanding, feeling, etc.: a flash of wit
☆ a brief news report of something that has just happened
a gaudy display; showiness
a preparation containing burnt sugar, used for coloring liquors
anything that flashes; specif., an electric light source that gives a brief dazzling light for taking photographs
Informal
1. a flashlight
2. a person very quick or adept at something

adjective

Chiefly Brit., Informal
1. flashy; showy; sporty
2. of thieves or other social outcasts
that flashes; happening swiftly or suddenly: a flash warning
working with a coordinated flash of light: a flash camera
Comput. designating or of an erasable memory device that retains stored data when power is turned off

See flash in American Heritage Dictionary 4

verb flashed, flash·ing, flash·es

verb, intransitive

To burst forth into or as if into flame.
To give off light or be lighted in sudden or intermittent bursts.
To appear or occur suddenly: The image flashed onto the screen.
To move or proceed rapidly: The cars flashed by.
To hang up a phone line momentarily, as when using call waiting.
Slang To think of or remember something suddenly: flashed on that time we got caught in the storm.
Slang To expose oneself in an indecent manner.

verb, transitive

a. To cause (light) to appear suddenly or in intermittent bursts.
b. To cause to burst into flame.
c. To reflect (light).
d. To cause to reflect light from (a surface).
To make known or signal by flashing lights.
To communicate or display at great speed: flashed the news to the world capitals.
To exhibit briefly.
To hang up (a phone line) momentarily, as when using call waiting.
To display ostentatiously; flaunt.
To fill suddenly with water.
To cover with a thin protective layer.

noun

A sudden, brief, intense display of light.
A sudden perception: a flash of insight.
A split second; an instant: I'll be on my way in a flash.
A brief news dispatch or transmission.
Slang Gaudy or ostentatious display: “The antique flash and trash of an older southern California have given way to a sleeker age of cultural hip” (Newsweek).
A flashlight.
a. Instantaneous illumination for photography: photograph by flash.
b. A device, such as a flashbulb, flashgun, or flash lamp, used to produce such illumination.
Slang The pleasurable sensation that accompanies the use of a drug; a rush.
Obsolete The language or cant of thieves, tramps, or underworld figures.

adjective

Happening suddenly or very quickly: flash freezing.
Slang Ostentatious; showy: a flash car.
Of or relating to figures of quarterly economic growth released by the government and subject to later revision.
Of or relating to photography using instantaneous illumination.
Of or relating to thieves, swindlers, and underworld figures.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English flashen, to splash

Origin: , variant of flasken

Origin: , of imitative origin

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