释义 |
flash I. \ˈflash, -aa(ə)-, -ai-\ verb (-ed/-ing/-es) Etymology: Middle English flaschen, of imitative origin intransitive verb 1. : rush, dash, splash — used of flowing or tidal water < flood waters flashing over the rocky stream bed > 2. a. : to break forth in or like a sudden flame : appear as a momentary flare < the steel flashed > < lightning flashing in the sky > < the light flashed on > b. of a combustible : to ignite with a flare < the powder flashed > c. of a gun : to give forth flame in the discharge 3. a. : to appear as suddenly as a flash < an explanation flashed into her mind > b. : to move with great speed : come, go, or pass like a flash < the squirrel flashed up a tree > < time flashed by and we had to leave > 4. archaic : to make a good showing : put one's best foot forward : show off 5. a. : to enter suddenly into another state (as of action or consciousness) < he flashed awake at the sound > < flashing into action as the starter's flag fell > b. : to break forth or out so as to make a sudden or unexpected display < the sun flashed from behind a cloud > c. : to act or speak vehemently and suddenly especially in anger or disagreement — usually used with out < flashing out against such abuses > < sometimes she flashes out furiously before she thinks > 6. a. : to light up or glow suddenly or intermittently < fireflies flashing in the meadow > < sunlight flashing on the water > b. : to reflect light brilliantly or intermittently < her diamonds flashed and twinkled under the candles > < the windows flashed with the setting sun > c. of the eyes : to glow or gleam especially with animation or passion : sparkle < eyes flashing with delight > 7. in glass manuf : to expand or open out into a sheet — used of a blown globe of glass 8. of a liquid : to change suddenly or violently into vapor < when released from pressure the oil flashes into vapor > transitive verb 1. a. archaic : to cause (water) to splash b. : to fill (as a channel) or pass (as a boat) over an obstacle by means of a sudden inflow of water 2. a. : to cause the sudden appearance of (light or a source of illumination) : emit < the oars flashed cold greenish light > — often used with on < he flashed on the light > b. : to cause to burst violently into fire < a lighted match probably flashed the escaping gas > c. : to cause (light) to reflect or cause (as a mirror) to reflect light < flashing spots of light on the ceiling with a mirror > < flashing a mirror in the sunlight > often : to convey or communicate (information or a message) by means of flashes of light < flashed his position with a torch > < the general's answer was flashed by heliograph > d. : to cause to glow or gleam usually suddenly or transiently < flashed her bright eyes at the boy > e. : to burn (as a sample of explosive) under controlled conditions in order to determine the character and amount of residue 3. a. : to convey, make known, or cause to appear with great speed or instantaneously < the news of the surrender was flashed around the world by radio and telegraph > < the operator flashed a message on the screen > b. : to show off : display obtrusively or ostentatiously < only a fool would flash a fat wallet in such company > c. : to expose to view suddenly and usually briefly < the detective flashed his badge > < flashing a shy smile > especially : to expose (the face of a playing card) momentarily whether by accident (as in dealing) or by design (as in certain card tricks) d. : to type (a word or phrase) as a unit without thinking of the individual letters as they are struck 4. : to cover with or form into a thin layer: as a. : to protect (as the valley, hip, or edge of a roof) against rain by covering with sheet metal or a substitute laid over or under the edge of the roofing b. : to coat (as plain glass) with a thin layer (as of colored glass or metal); also : to apply (as a layer of colored glass) to — often used with on c. : to pass a blowtorch flame over the surface of a layer of melted wax of (an electrotype case) to remove air bubbles prior to use in an electrotype mold 5. a. : to cause (glass) to flash b. : to reheat (glass) to intensify the color especially when red or yellow 6. : to subject (an exposed photographic negative or positive) to a supplementary uniform exposure to light before development in order to modify detail or tone 7. a. : to convert (a liquid) quickly into vapor (as in a flash boiler) b. : to eliminate in the form of vapor especially by exposure to intense or sudden heating — usually used with off < flashing off the turpentine in purifying gum > c. : to vaporize (a getter) by heating the vacuum-tube filament in order to clear the tube of residual gas d. : to reduce the pressure of suddenly (as by releasing into a vaporizing chamber or tower under lower pressure) < the hot tar is flashed into a vacuum chamber > II. noun (-es) 1. a. : a sudden burst of light : a light instantaneously appearing and disappearing < a flash of lightning > b. : a transient light (as from a lantern or torch) displayed as a signal; also : a movement of a flag in signaling 2. : a sudden and brilliant burst (as of wit or genius) : a momentary and sudden show < occasional flashes of industry > 3. : the duration of a flash : a brief time < answered in a flash > < for a flash we thought we saw them > 4. a. : show, display; especially : a vulgar ostentatious display b. archaic : a showy ostentatious person : swell, fop c. : something or someone that attracts notice (as by gaudiness or excellence); especially : an outstanding athlete d. : brightness of color in flue-cured tobacco 5. obsolete a. : ostentatious or bombastic talk or phrasing b. [perhaps from flash (III) ] : slang, cant 6. a. obsolete : a splash or wave of water b. archaic : a sudden stream of water released (as at a shoal or weir) to permit passage of a boat 7. : something flashed: as a. : glimpse, look < caught a flash of the scene as he hurried by > b. : smile c. : a first brief news report; usually : one of an especially newsworthy event sent to a newspaper or news broadcaster by wire — compare bulletin d. : flashlight c, d e. : the quick-spreading flame or momentary intense outburst of radiant heat from the burst of a bomb, bazooka, or other explosive blast or from a flamethrower or welding arc f. Britain : a bright tab worn as part of the insignia of a military uniform: (1) : a red shoulder patch — called also shoulder flash (2) : a red tab attached to a kilt garter as part of the uniform of certain Scottish units g. : the body exposure at the end of a striptease 8. a. : fin 2 e b. : the recesses in a set of dies that receive the fin 9. : a thin layer: as a. : a layer of glass flashed on b. : a very thin electroplated coating usually less than 1/100,00 inch thick c. : a surface coloration on brick or pottery produced in the kiln by metallic oxides, manipulation of flame, or accidentally 10. : a strong red that is yellower, darker, and slightly less strong than geranium (sense 3a) and yellower and slightly lighter than Goya 11. : the rapid conversion of a liquid into vapor 12. : flashing 4 III. adjective Etymology: flash (II) 1. a. of a thing : showy but counterfeit : cheap, pretentious, and vulgar < flash finery > sometimes : such as appeals to the uncritically fashionable : smart < a flash hotel > b. of a person (1) : vulgarly pretentious : given to showy display (2) : belonging to a sporting set; often : sporty, fast (3) : being a thief, tramp, or a member of some other class that is considered beyond the bounds of normal society c. : of, relating to, or characteristic of flash things or people < a flash appearance > < flash behavior > 2. a. : of sudden origin, swift advance, and usually short duration < a flash fire > < a valley subject to flash flooding > b. of a food-processing method : involving extremely brief exposure to some very intense altering agent (as heat or cold) < flash drying of milk > < processed by flash freezing > 3. : caused by or used to protect against flash < flash injury > < flash gear > — see flash burn IV. adjective Etymology: Middle English flasch tepid, from Middle French flache, feminine of flac weak, feeble, slack, from Latin flaccus flabby 1. obsolete, of food : lacking in savor : insipid, flat, tasteless 2. obsolete : lacking meaning or validity : trashy : weak and worthless — used especially of essentially mental matters (as speech or reasoning) V. noun Etymology: Middle English (Scots) flasche obsolete : a sheaf of arrows VI. intransitive verb 1. : to expose one's genitals usually suddenly and briefly in public 2. : to have a sudden insight — often used with on < she just flashed on it: for once in her life, she ought to put her own needs right up front — Cyra McFadden > transitive verb : to expose one's genitals usually suddenly and briefly to < that person flashed me > VII. noun 1. : rush herein 2. : pizzazz herein |