FLASH, n. 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, v.i. 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, v.t. 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.
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