3  definitions  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Flash  \Flash\,  v.  i.  [imp.  &  p.  p.  {Flashed};  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. 
 
  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.  --Talfourd. 
 
  The  object  is  made  to  flash  upon  the  eye  of  the 
  mind.  --M.  Arnold. 
 
  A  thought  flashed  through  me  which  I  clothed  in 
  act  --Tennyson. 
 
  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 
  --Shak. 
 
  {To  flash  in  the  pan},  to  fail  of  success.  [Colloq.]  See 
  under  {Flash},  a  burst  of  light.  --Bartlett. 
 
  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. 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Flashing  \Flash"ing\,  n. 
  1.  (Engineering)  The  creation  of  an  artifical  flood  by  the 
  sudden  letting  in  of  a  body  of  water;  --  called  also 
  {flushing}. 
 
  2.  (Arch.)  Pieces  of  metal,  built  into  the  joints  of  a  wall, 
  so  as  to  lap  over  the  edge  of  the  gutters  or  to  cover  the 
  edge  of  the  roofing;  also  similar  pieces  used  to  cover 
  the  valleys  of  roofs  of  slate,  shingles,  or  the  like  By 
  extension,  the  metal  covering  of  ridges  and  hips  of  roofs; 
  also  in  the  United  States,  the  protecting  of  angles  and 
  breaks  in  walls  of  frame  houses  with  waterproof  material, 
  tarred  paper,  or  the  like  Cf  {Filleting}. 
 
  3.  (Glass  Making) 
  a  The  reheating  of  an  article  at  the  furnace  aperture 
  during  manufacture  to  restore  its  plastic  condition; 
  esp.,  the  reheating  of  a  globe  of  crown  glass  to  allow 
  it  to  assume  a  flat  shape  as  it  is  rotated. 
  b  A  mode  of  covering  transparent  white  glass  with  a  film 
  of  colored  glass.  --Knight. 
 
  {Flashing  point}  (Chem.),  that  degree  of  temperature  at  which 
  a  volatile  oil  gives  off  vapor  in  sufficient  quantity  to 
  burn,  or  flash,  on  the  approach  of  a  flame,  used  as  a  test 
  of  the  comparative  safety  of  oils,  esp.  kerosene;  a 
  flashing  point  of  100[deg]  F.  is  regarded  as  a  fairly  safe 
  standard.  The  burning  point  of  the  oil  is  usually  from  ten 
  to  thirty  degree  above  the  flashing  point  of  its  vapor. 
 
  From  WordNet  r  1.6  [wn]: 
 
  flashing 
  adj  :  emitting  light  in  sudden  short  or  intermittent  bursts; 
  "flashing  lightning  and  roaring  thunder" 
  n  1:  a  short  vivid  experience;  "a  flash  of  emotion  swept  over 
  him";  "the  flashings  of  pain  were  a  warning"  [syn:  {flash}] 
  2:  sheet  metal  shaped  and  attached  to  a  roof  for  strength  and 
  weatherproofing 

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