The chariot of paternal Deity, Flashing thick
flames. --Milton.
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.
3. (Glass Making) To cover with a thin layer, as objects of
glass with glass of a different color. See {Flashing}, n.,
3
(b) .
4. To trick up in a showy manner.
Limning and flashing it with various dyes. --A.
Brewer.
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.]
He rudely flashed the waves about. --Spenser.
{Flashed glass}. See {Flashing}, n., 3.
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.
Names which have flashed and thundered as the watch
words of unnumbered struggles. --Talfourd.
The object is made to flash upon the eye of the
mind. --M. Arnold.
A thought flashed through me, which I clothed in
act. --Tennyson.
3. To burst forth like a sudden flame; to break out
violently; to rush hastily.
Every hour He flashes into one gross crime or other.
--Shak.
{To flash in the pan}, to fail of success. [Colloq.] See
under {Flash}, a burst of light. --Bartlett.
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.
2. A sudden and brilliant burst, as of wit or genius; a
momentary brightness or show.
The flash and outbreak of a fiery mind. --Shak.
No striking sentiment, no flash of fancy. --Wirt.
3. The time during which a flash is visible; an instant; a
very brief period.
The Persians and Macedonians had it for a flash.
--Bacon.
4. A preparation of capsicum, burnt sugar, etc., for coloring
and giving a fictious strength to liquors.
{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.
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.
{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.