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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

Flash \Flash\ (fl[a^]sh), v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Flashed}
(fl[a^]sht); p. pr. & vb. n. {Flashing}.] [Cf. OE. flaskien,
vlaskien to pour, sprinkle, dial. Sw. flasa to blaze, E.
flush, flare.]
1. To burst or break forth with a sudden and transient flood
of flame and light; as, the lighting flashes vividly; the
powder flashed.
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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.
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Names which have flashed and thundered as the watch
words of unnumbered struggles. --Talfourd.
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The object is made to flash upon the eye of the
mind. --M. Arnold.
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A thought flashed through me, which I clothed in
act. --Tennyson.
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3. To burst forth like a sudden flame; to break out
violently; to rush hastily.
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Every hour
He flashes into one gross crime or other. --Shak.
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{flash in the pan}, a failure or a poor performance,
especially after a normal or auspicious start; also, a
person whose initial performance appears augur success but
who fails to achieve anything notable. From 4th {pan}, n.,
sense 3 -- part of a flintlock. Occasionally, the powder
in the pan of a flintlock would flash without conveying
the fire to the charge, and the ball would fail to be
discharged. Thus, a good or even spectacular beginning
that eventually achieves little came to be called a flash
in the pan.

{To flash in the pan}, to fail of success, especially after a
normal or auspicious start. [Colloq.] See under {Flash}, a
burst of light. --Bartlett.
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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.
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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}.
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{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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Flash \Flash\ (fl[a^]sh), v. t.
1. To send out in flashes; to cause to burst forth with
sudden flame or light.
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The chariot of paternal Deity,
Flashing thick flames. --Milton.
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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.
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3. (Glass Making) To cover with a thin layer, as objects of
glass with glass of a different color. See {Flashing}, n.,
3
(b) .
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4. To trick up in a showy manner.
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Limning and flashing it with various dyes. --A.
Brewer.
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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.]
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He rudely flashed the waves about. --Spenser.
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{Flashed glass}. See {Flashing}, n., 3.
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Flash \Flash\, a.
1. Showy, but counterfeit; cheap, pretentious, and vulgar;
as, flash jewelry; flash finery.
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2. Wearing showy, counterfeit ornaments; vulgarly
pretentious; as, flash people; flash men or women; --
applied especially to thieves, gamblers, and prostitutes
that dress in a showy way and wear much cheap jewelry.
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{Flash house}, a house frequented by flash people, as thieves
and whores; hence, a brothel. "A gang of footpads,
reveling with their favorite beauties at a flash house."
--Macaulay.
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Flash \Flash\, n.
Slang or cant of thieves and prostitutes.
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Flash \Flash\, n. [OE. flasche, flaske; cf. OF. flache, F.
flaque.]
1. A pool. [Prov. Eng.] --Haliwell.
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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.
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{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.
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