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noun 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. 2.A sudden and brilliant burst, as of wit or genius; a momentary brightness or show. "The flash and outbreak of a fiery mind." "No striking sentiment, no flash of fancy." 3.The time during which a flash is visible; an instant; a very brief period; as, I'll be back in a flash. "The Persians and Macedonians had it for a flash." 4.A preparation of capsicum, burnt sugar, etc., for coloring and giving a fictitious strength to liquors. 5.A lamp for providing intense momentary light to take a photograph; as, to take a picture without a flash. Synonyms: flashbulb, photoflash, flash lamp, flashgun. 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. 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. 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.
Pan n. 1.A shallow, open dish or vessel, usually of metal, employed for many domestic uses, as for setting milk for cream, for frying or baking food, etc.; also employed for various uses in manufacturing. "A bowl or a pan." 2.(Manuf.) A closed vessel for boiling or evaporating. See Vacuum pan, under Vacuum. 3.The part of a flintlock which holds the priming. 4.The skull, considered as a vessel containing the brain; the upper part of the head; the brainpan; the cranium. 5.(Carp.) A recess, or bed, for the leaf of a hinge. 6.The hard stratum of earth that lies below the soil. See Hard pan, under Hard. 7.A natural basin, containing salt or fresh water, or mud. Flash in the pan. See under Flash. To savor of the pan, to suggest the process of cooking or burning; in a theological sense, to be heretical.
verb Flash v. i. (past & past part. flashed; pres. part. flashing) 1.To burst or break forth with a sudden and transient flood of flame and light; as, the lighting flashes vividly; the powder flashed. 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." "The object is made to flash upon the eye of the mind." "A thought flashed through me, which I clothed in act." 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." 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. Synonyms: Flash, Glitter, Gleam, Glisten, Glister. 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.
Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48
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