flash

noun

A device that produces a short flash of light to help illuminate a scene, mostly for night-time or indoors photography.

1. A sudden, short, temporary burst of light.
2. A very short amount of time.
3. A flashlight; an electric torch.
4. A sudden and brilliant burst, as of genius or wit.
5. Material left around the edge of a moulded part at the parting line of the mould.
6. (Cockney) The strips of bright cloth or buttons worn around the collars of market traders.
7. A pattern where each prop is thrown and caught only once.
8. A language, created by a minority to maintain cultural identity, that cannot be understood by the ruling class.
9. A preparation of capsicum, burnt sugar, etc., for colouring liquor to make it look stronger.
10. A form of military insignia.

    I just got my first commando flash.

11. Any of various lycaenid butterflies of the genera Artipe, Deudorix and Rapala.
12. A tattoo flash.
13. The sudden sensation of being "high" after taking a recreational drug.
14. A newsflash.

1. To cause to shine briefly or intermittently.

   He flashed the light at the water, trying to see what made the noise.

2. To blink; to shine or illuminate intermittently.

   The light flashed on and off.

3. To be visible briefly.

   The scenery flashed by quickly.

4. To make visible briefly.

   A number will be flashed on the screen.

5. To briefly, and often unintentionally, expose one's naked body or underwear, or part of it, in public. (Contrast streak.)

   Her skirt was so short that she flashed her underpants as she was getting out of her car.

6. To show or expose an "inappropriate" part of the body to someone for humorous reasons or as an act of contempt.
7. To break forth like a sudden flood of light; to show a momentary brilliance.
8. To flaunt; to display in a showy manner.

   He flashed a wad of hundred-dollar bills.

9. To communicate quickly.

   The news services flashed the news about the end of the war to all corners of the globe.

10. To move, or cause to move, suddenly.

    Flash forward to the present day.

11. To telephone a person, only allowing the phone to ring once, in order to request a call back.

    Susan flashed Jessica, and then Jessica called her back, because Susan didn't have enough credit on her phone to make the call.

12. (of liquid) To evaporate suddenly. (See flash evaporation.)
13. To climb (a route) successfully on the first attempt.
14. To write to the memory of (an updatable component such as a BIOS chip or games cartridge).
15. (glassmaking) To cover with a thin layer, as objects of glass with glass of a different colour.
16. (glassmaking) To expand (blown glass) into a disc.
17. To send by some startling or sudden means.
18. To burst out into violence.
19. To perform a flash.
20. To release the pressure from a pressurized vessel.
21. To trick up in a showy manner.
22. To strike and throw up large bodies of water from the surface; to splash.

1. Expensive-looking and demanding attention; stylish; showy.
2. (of a person) Having plenty of ready money.
3. (of a person) Liable to show off expensive possessions or money.
4. Occurring very rapidly, almost instantaneously.
5. Relating to thieves and vagabonds.

   flash notes: counterfeit banknotes

1. A pool.
2. 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.