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. (Arch.) Pieces of metal, built into the joints of a wall,
so as to lap over the edge of the gutters or to cover the
edge of the roofing; also, similar pieces used to cover
the valleys of roofs of slate, shingles, or the like. By
extension, the metal covering of ridges and hips of roofs;
also, in the United States, the protecting of angles and
breaks in walls of frame houses with waterproof material,
tarred paper, or the like. Cf. {Filleting}.
3. (Glass Making)
(a) The reheating of an article at the furnace aperture
during manufacture to restore its plastic condition;
esp., the reheating of a globe of crown glass to allow
it to assume a flat shape as it is rotated.
(b) A mode of covering transparent white glass with a film
of colored glass. --Knight.
{Flashing point} (Chem.), that degree of temperature at which
a volatile oil gives off vapor in sufficient quantity to
burn, or flash, on the approach of a flame, used as a test
of the comparative safety of oils, esp. kerosene; a
flashing point of 100[deg] F. is regarded as a fairly safe
standard. The burning point of the oil is usually from ten
to thirty degree above the flashing point of its vapor.