flash English · revision 5122

+ {{infobox|confidence=uncertain|formation=onomatopoeia|attested=c. 1200}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /flæʃ/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|flashen|alt=flasken, flashen]], probably imitative, like [[splash]] and [[dash]].^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986)^(MWU 2024) Some extended senses may be from Scandinavian cognates.^(Etymonline) The link with fire may have come from its resemblance to [[flame]].^(Cresswell 2021)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ To splash or sprinkle water, to gush forth: about 1200 in Etymonline, probably before 1200 in Barnhart.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Of fire, to burst into flames, is from about 1400, and to give off a sudden short light is recorded only from 1548.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) The noun, a sudden burst of flame or light, originally of lightning, is from 1566.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) A very short time, ''in a flash'', is from the 1620s.^(Etymonline) Superficial brilliance is from the 1670s, and the adjective “showy, flashy” from the 17th century.^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986)^(Cresswell 2021) A brief news report is from 1857,^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) and a photographic lamp from 1913.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) The sense “to expose the genitals” is by 1846.^(Etymonline) ''Flash card'' is from 1923, and ''flash flood'' from 1940.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1200 – to splash.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1548 – to give off a sudden light.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1566 – noun, a burst of flame.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1620s – an instant.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1846 – to expose oneself.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1857 – a news report.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1913 – a photographic lamp.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Verb===

+ # To shine brightly for a moment, or to make a light do this.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To appear or move very quickly.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To show something briefly: ''flashed his badge''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To send news quickly by radio or telegraph.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(informal)'' To show one's [[genitals]] in public.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Noun===

+ # A sudden brief burst of light.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A sudden brief experience: ''a flash of inspiration''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A very short time.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A device on a camera that gives a bright light.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A showy display: ''a flash of her diamonds''.^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[flashingly]]

+ * [[unflashing]]

+ * [[outflash]]

+ * [[flashback]]

+ * [[flasher]]

+ * [[flashing]]

+ * [[flashlight]]

+ * [[flashover]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[flush]]

+ * [[flashy]]

+ * [[splash]]

+ * [[dash]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ A different flash, a pool or marshy place, is recorded from about 1400 and survives locally; it may be from Old French flache.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)^(Wright 1898)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}