"Flash" Definition

Definitions for the word "Flash" from multiple English dictionaries.

1. v. i.
To burst or break forth with a sudden and transient flood of flame and light; as, the lighting flashes vividly; the powder flashed.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
2. v. i.
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.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
3. v. i.
To burst forth like a sudden flame; to break out violently; to rush hastily.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
4. v. t.
To send out in flashes; to cause to burst forth with sudden flame or light.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
5. v. t.
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.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
6. v. t.
To cover with a thin layer, as objects of glass with glass of a different color. See Flashing, n., 3 (b).
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
7. n.
To trick up in a showy manner.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
8. n.
To strike and throw up large bodies of water from the surface; to splash.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
9. n.
A sudden burst of light; a flood of light instantaneously appearing and disappearing; a momentary blaze; as, a flash of lightning.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
10. n.
A sudden and brilliant burst, as of wit or genius; a momentary brightness or show.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
11. n.
The time during which a flash is visible; an instant; a very brief period.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
12. n.
A preparation of capsicum, burnt sugar, etc., for coloring and giving a fictious strength to liquors.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
13. a.
Showy, but counterfeit; cheap, pretentious, and vulgar; as, flash jewelry; flash finery.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
14. a.
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.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
15. n.
Slang or cant of thieves and prostitutes.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
16. n.
A pool.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
17. n.
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.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
18. v.
1 (cause to) emit a brief or sudden light; (cause to) gleam. 2 send or reflect like a sudden flame (eyes flashed fire). 3 a burst suddenly into view or perception (answer flashed upon me). B move swiftly (train flashed past). 4 a send (news etc.) By radio, telegraph, etc. B signal to (a person) with lights. 5 colloq. Show ostentatiously (flashed her ring). 6 slang indecently expose oneself. n. 1 sudden bright light or flame, e.g. Of lightning. 2 an instant (in a flash). 3 sudden brief feeling, display of wit, etc. (flash of hope). 4 = *newsflash. 5 photog. = *flashlight 1. 6 mil. Coloured cloth patch on a uniform. 7 bright patch of colour. adj. Colloq. Gaudy; showy; vulgar (flash car). [imitative]
Source: Oxford English Dictionary, 1884
19. slang
showy, smart, knowing; a word with various meanings. A person is said to be dressed FLASH when his garb is showy, and after a fashion, but without taste. A person is said to be FLASH when he apes the appearance or manners of his betters, or when he is trying to be superior to his friends and relations. FLASH also means “fast,” roguish, and sometimes infers counterfeit or deceptive—and this, perhaps, is its general signification. As it is used by those who best understand it nowadays, the word means that which is not what it appears to be—anything spurious, as jewellery and shoddy clothes. “FLASH, my young friend, or slang, as others call it, is the classical language of the Holy Land; in other words, St. Giles’s Greek.”—_Tom and Jerry_, by Moncreiff. Vulgar language was first termed FLASH in the year 1718, by Hitchin, author of “_The Regulator of Thieves, &c., with account of flash words_.” “FLASH” is sometimes exchangeable with “fancy.” “My FLASH man’s in quod, And I’m the gal that’s willin, So I’ll turn out to-night, And earn an honest shillin’. “Tooral, looral la, What are wealth’s possessions? Bless the man we love, And blow the b---- Sessions.”—_Lyra Flagitiosa._
Source: The Slang Dictionary, 1864

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This page provides a list of definitions and meanings for "Flash" from various historical English dictionaries. By displaying multiple definitions, you can compare and contrast different meanings and nuances of a word, phrase, or slang. You can also see the changes in meaning of "Flash" over time by viewing the definitions from different dictionaries published at different times in history. The page also includes other information to help users expand their vocabulary and understand the context of the word.

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