flare

flare [fler]

vi.

flared, flaring [ME fleare < ?]

1.

a) to blaze up with a sudden, bright light

b) to burn unsteadily, as a flame whipped about by the wind

2. to burst out suddenly in anger, violence, etc.: often with up or out

3. to curve or spread outward, as the bell of a trumpet

vt.

1. to make flare

2. to signal with a flare

n.

1. a bright, unsteady blaze of light lasting only a little while; outburst of flame

2.

a) a very bright light used as a distress signal, to light up a landing field, etc.

b) a substance burned to make such a light

3. a sudden, brief outburst, as of emotion or sound

4.

a) a curving or spreading outward, as of a skirt

b) a part that curves or spreads outward

5. Astron.

a) a short-lived, spotlike outburst of increased brightness on the sun, seen esp. near sunspots and often accompanied by X-rays, gamma rays, etc.

b) a sudden, temporary increase in the brightness of any star

6. Photog. a foggy spot on film, caused by a reflection of light from the lens

SYN.- BLAZE¹