Emily Dickinson Lexicon

FLASH, n. [Ir. lasair, lasrach, a flame, a flash; lasadh, lasaim, to burn, to kindle; leos, light; leosam, to give light; also, loisgim, losgadh, to burn; loisi, flame; Dan. lys, light; lyser, to shine, to glisten or glister; Sw. lius, lysa, id. Qu. G. blitz, a glance; blitzen, to lighten, to flash; Russ. blesk, bleschu, id. There is a numerous class of words in Ls, with different prefixes, that denote to shine, to throw light, as gloss, glass, glisten, blush, flush, flash, luster, &c.; but perhaps they are not all of one family. The Welsh has llathru, to make smooth and glossy, to polish, to glitter; llethrid, a gleam, a flash. See Class Ld, No. 5, and Ls, No. 25, and see Flush.]

1. A sudden burst of light; a flood of light instantaneously appearing and disappearing; as, a flash of lightning.
2. A sudden burst of flame and light; an instantaneous blaze; as, the flash of a gun.
3. A sudden burst, as of wit or merriment; as, a flash of wit; a flash of joy or mirth. His companions recollect no instance of premature wit, no striking sentiment, no flash of fancy. Wirt.
4. A short, transient state. The Persians and Macedonians had it for a flash. Bacon.
5. A body of water driven by violence. [Local.] Pegge.
6. A little pool. Qu. plash. [Local.]