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flicker

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The definition of flicker is to burn or shine in an unsteady way, or to flare up and die down, appear briefly or flutter rapidly.

(verb)

When the flame of a candle is alternatively bright and then less bright this is an example of when a candle flickers.
When emotion comes to your face for just a moment but then goes away, this is an example of flicker.
When a light is running out of electricity but blinks off and on, this is an example of when the light flickers.

A flicker is defined as a tiny movement of light, or an expression of emotion that comes and goes quickly.

(noun)

The flame of a candle that is bright and then weaker is an example of the flicker of the candle.
When an evil person feels kindness just for a second, this is an example of a flicker of kindness.

See flicker in Webster's New World College Dictionary

intransitive verb

to flap the wings rapidly, as in hovering; flutter: said of a bird
to move with a quick, light, wavering motion
to burn or shine unsteadily, as a candle in the wind

Origin: ME flikeren < OE flicorian, akin to flacor, flying, ON flǫkta, to flutter: for IE base see flaw

transitive verb

to cause to flicker or waver

noun

an act or instance of flickering
a dart of flame or light, as in a flickering fire
a look or feeling that comes and goes quickly: a flicker of fear crossed his face
any of various visual effects, as a fluctuation in brightness on a video screen or in the clarity of the image being projected on a film screen

Related Forms:

flickery adjective

☆

noun

any of several North American woodpeckers (genus Colaptes); esp., the yellow-shafted flicker

Origin: echoic of its cry

See flicker in American Heritage Dictionary 4

verb flick·ered, flick·er·ing, flick·ers

verb, intransitive

To move waveringly; flutter: shadows flickering on the wall.
To burn unsteadily or fitfully.

verb, transitive

To cause to move waveringly.

noun

A brief movement; a tremor.
An inconstant or wavering light.
A brief or slight sensation: a flicker of doubt.
Slang A movie.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English flikeren, to flutter

Origin: , from Old English flicerian

noun

Any of various large North American woodpeckers of the genus Colaptes, especially C. auratus, the common flicker, having a brown back, spotted breast, and white rump.

Origin:

Origin: Perhaps from flick¹

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