Flashes

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Flash \Flash\, n.; pl. {Flashes}.
     1. A sudden burst of light; a flood of light instantaneously
        appearing and disappearing; a momentary blaze; as, a flash
        of lightning.
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     2. A sudden and brilliant burst, as of wit or genius; a
        momentary brightness or show.
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              The flash and outbreak of a fiery mind. --Shak.
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              No striking sentiment, no flash of fancy. --Wirt.
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     3. The time during which a flash is visible; an instant; a
        very brief period; as, I'll be back in a flash.
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              The Persians and Macedonians had it for a flash.
                                                    --Bacon.
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     4. A preparation of capsicum, burnt sugar, etc., for coloring
        and giving a fictitious strength to liquors.
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     5. A lamp for providing intense momentary light to take a
        photograph; as, to take a picture without a flash.
  
     Syn: flashbulb, photoflash, flash lamp, flashgun.
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     6. Same as {flashlight}. [informal]
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     7. (Journalism) A short news item providing recently received
        and usually preliminary information about an event that is
        considered important enough to interrupt normal
        broadcasting or other news delivery services; also called
        a {news flash} or {bulletin}.
        [PJC]
  
     {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.
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