flash

FLASH, noun 1. A sudden burst of light; a flood of light instantaneously appearing and disappearing; as a flash of lightning. 2. A sudden burst of flame and light; as instantaneous blaze; as the flash of a gun. 3. A sudden burst, as of wit or merriment; as a flash of wit; a flash of joy or mirth. His companions recollect no instance of premature wit, no striking sentiment, no flash of fancy - 4. A short, transient state. The Persians and Macedonians had it for a flash 5. A body of water driven by violence. [Local.] 6. A little pool. [Local.] FLASH, verb intransitive 1. To break forth, as a sudden flood of light; to burst or open instantly on the sight, as splendor. It differs from glitter, glisten and gleam in 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. A diamond may glitter or glisten, but it does not flash flash differs from other words also in denoting suddenness of appearance and disappearance. 2. To burst or break forth with a flood of flame and light; as, the powder flashed in the pan. Flashing differs from exploding or disploding, in not being accompanied with a loud report. 3. To burst out into any kind of violence. Every hour he flashes into one gross crime or other. 4. To break out, as a sudden expression of wit, merriment or bright thought. FLASH, verb transitive 1. To strike up a body of water from the surface. He rudely flashed the waves. [In this sense I believe this word is not used in America.] 2. To strike or to throw like a burst of light; as, to flash conviction on the mind.