n. [ Back, adv. + lash. ] 1. (Mech.) The distance through which one part of connected machinery, as a wheel, piston, or screw, can be moved without moving the connected parts, resulting from looseness in fitting or from wear; also, the jarring or reflex motion caused in badly fitting machinery by irregularities in velocity or a reverse of motion. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A strong and sudden reverse movement in a moving part of a machine. [ PJC ]

3. A strong popular reaction serving to counter the effect of an action; -- used especially of adverse reactions to social or political developments. [ PJC ]

n. [ F. calèche; of Slavonic origin; cf. Bohem. kolesa, Russ. koliaska calash, koleso, kolo, wheel. ] 1. A light carriage with low wheels, having a top or hood that can be raised or lowered, seats for inside, a separate seat for the driver, and often a movable front, so that it can be used as either an open or a closed carriage. [ 1913 Webster ]

The baroness in a calash capable of holding herself, her two children, and her servants. W. Irving. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. In Canada, a two-wheeled, one-seated vehicle, with a calash top, and the driver's seat elevated in front. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. A hood or top of a carriage which can be thrown back at pleasure. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. A hood, formerly worn by ladies, which could be drawn forward or thrown back like the top of a carriage. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Clashed p. pr. & vb. n. Clashing. ] [ Of imitative origin; cf. G. klatschen, Prov. G. kleschen, D. kletsen, Dan. klaske, E. clack. ] 1. To make a noise by striking against something; to dash noisily together. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To meet in opposition; to act in a contrary direction; to come onto collision; to interfere. [ 1913 Webster ]

However some of his interests might clash with those of the chief adjacent colony. Palfrey. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To strike noisily against or together. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. A loud noise resulting from collision; a noisy collision of bodies; a collision. [ 1913 Webster ]

The roll of cannon and clash of arms. Tennyson. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Opposition; contradiction; as between differing or contending interests, views, purposes, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

Clashes between popes and kings. Denham. [ 1913 Webster ]

. (Mach.) A change-speed gear in which the gears are changed by sliding endwise. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

adv. With clashing. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. The fringe of hair that edges the eyelid; -- usually in the pl. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A hair of the fringe on the edge of the eyelid. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Zool.) A European marine fish (Cottus bubalis), allied to the sculpin; -- called also lucky proach. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

Names which have flashed and thundered as the watch words of unnumbered struggles. Talfourd. [ 1913 Webster ]

The object is made to flash upon the eye of the mind. M. Arnold. [ 1913 Webster ]

A thought flashed through me, which I clothed in act. Tennyson. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To burst forth like a sudden flame; to break out violently; to rush hastily. [ 1913 Webster ]

Every hour
He flashes into one gross crime or other. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

flash in the pan, a failure or a poor performance, especially after a normal or auspicious start; also, a person whose initial performance appears augur success but who fails to achieve anything notable. From 4th pan, n., sense 3 -- part of a flintlock. Occasionally, the powder in the pan of a flintlock would flash without conveying the fire to the charge, and the ball would fail to be discharged. Thus, a good or even spectacular beginning that eventually achieves little came to be called a flash in the pan. --
To flash in the pan, to fail of success, especially after a normal or auspicious start. [ Colloq. ] See under Flash, a burst of light. Bartlett. [ 1913 Webster +PJC ]

Syn. -- Flash, Glitter, Gleam, Glisten, Glister. 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. 1. To send out in flashes; to cause to burst forth with sudden flame or light. [ 1913 Webster ]

The chariot of paternal Deity,
Flashing thick flames. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To convey as by a flash; to light up, as by a sudden flame or light; as, to flash a message along the wires; to flash conviction on the mind. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Glass Making) To cover with a thin layer, as objects of glass with glass of a different color. See Flashing, n., 3 (b). [ 1913 Webster ]

4. To trick up in a showy manner. [ 1913 Webster ]

Limning and flashing it with various dyes. A. Brewer. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. [ Perh. due to confusion between flash of light and plash, splash. ] To strike and throw up large bodies of water from the surface; to splash. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

He rudely flashed the waves about. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

Flashed glass. See Flashing, n., 3. [ 1913 Webster ]

n.; pl. Flashes 1. A sudden burst of light; a flood of light instantaneously appearing and disappearing; a momentary blaze; as, a flash of lightning. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A sudden and brilliant burst, as of wit or genius; a momentary brightness or show. [ 1913 Webster ]

The flash and outbreak of a fiery mind. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

No striking sentiment, no flash of fancy. Wirt. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. The time during which a flash is visible; an instant; a very brief period; as, I'll be back in a flash. [ 1913 Webster +PJC ]

The Persians and Macedonians had it for a flash. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. A preparation of capsicum, burnt sugar, etc., for coloring and giving a fictitious strength to liquors. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. A lamp for providing intense momentary light to take a photograph; as, to take a picture without a flash.
Syn. -- flashbulb, photoflash, flash lamp, flashgun. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

6. Same as flashlight. [ informal ] [ PJC ]

7. (Journalism) A short news item providing recently received and usually preliminary information about an event that is considered important enough to interrupt normal broadcasting or other news delivery services; also called a news flash or bulletin. [ PJC ]

Flash light, or
Flashing light, a kind of light shown by lighthouses, produced by the revolution of reflectors, so as to show a flash of light every few seconds, alternating with periods of dimness. Knight. --
Flash in the pan, the flashing of the priming in the pan of a flintlock musket without discharging the piece; hence, sudden, spasmodic effort that accomplishes nothing. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. 1. Showy, but counterfeit; cheap, pretentious, and vulgar; as, flash jewelry; flash finery. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Wearing showy, counterfeit ornaments; vulgarly pretentious; as, flash people; flash men or women; -- applied especially to thieves, gamblers, and prostitutes that dress in a showy way and wear much cheap jewelry. [ 1913 Webster ]

Flash house, a house frequented by flash people, as thieves and whores; hence, a brothel. “A gang of footpads, reveling with their favorite beauties at a flash house.” Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Slang or cant of thieves and prostitutes. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ OE. flasche, flaske; cf. OF. flache, F. flaque. ] 1. A pool. [ Prov. Eng. ] Haliwell. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Engineering) 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

Flash wheel (Mech.), a paddle wheel made to revolve in a breast or curved water way, by which water is lifted from the lower to the higher level. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. a transition (in literary or theatrical works or films) to an earlier event or scene; also, the scene thus introduced. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

2. An unusually vivid recollection of a prior experience, often one that is traumatic, such as scenes from combat or a criminal assault, or induced by hallucinogenic drugs such as LSD; when accompanied by hallucinations it is called flashback hallucinosis. [ PJC ]

n. A board placed temporarily upon a milldam, to raise the water in the pond above its usual level; a flushboard. [ U.S. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

. A variety of water-tube boiler, used chiefly in steam automobiles, consisting of a nest of strong tubes with very little water space, kept nearly red hot so that the water as it trickles drop by drop into the tubes is immediately flashed into steam and superheated. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

n. a lamp for providing intense momentary light to take a photograph.
Syn. -- flash, photoflash, flash lamp, flashgun. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

. A gas burner with a device for lighting by an electric spark. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

n. 1. One who, or that which, flashes. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A man of more appearance of wit than reality. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Zool.) (a) A large sparoid fish of the Atlantic coast and all tropical seas (Lobotes Surinamensis). (b) The European red-backed shrike (Lanius collurio); -- called also flusher. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. An exhibitionist{ 1 }, especially a male, who briefly exposes his private parts in a public place. [ PJC ]

adj. preserved by freezing sufficiently rapidly to retain flavor and nutritional value; -- used of foods.
Syn. -- quick-frozen, frozen. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. a lamp for providing intense momentary light to take a photograph.
Syn. -- flash, photoflash, flash lamp, flashbulb. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

adv. In a flashy manner; with empty show. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The quality of being flashy. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. (Engineering) The creation of an artificial flood by the sudden letting in of a body of water; -- called also flushing. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

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° 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. Usually called flash point. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. a portable battery-powered electric lamp, small enough to be held in one hand; -- it is most commonly cylindrical, but other forms are also made. It is called in Britain a torch
Syn. -- torch. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. 1. the lowest temperature at which the vapors given off by a volatile liquid exposed to air will burst into flame when approached by a flame. Also called flashing point. [ PJC ]

2. That point in time or that degree of provocation at which someone will suddenly begin to act vigorously; -- often used in reference to angry reactions. [ PJC ]

a. 1. Dazzling for a moment; making a momentary show of brilliancy; transitorily bright. [ 1913 Webster ]

A little flashy and transient pleasure. Barrow. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Fiery; vehement; impetuous. [ 1913 Webster ]

A temper always flashy. Burke. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Showy; gay; gaudy; as, a flashy dress. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Without taste or spirit. [ 1913 Webster ]

Lean and flashy songs. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ OE. lasche; cf. D. lasch piece set in, joint, seam, G. lashe latchet, a bit of leather, gusset, stripe, laschen to furnish with flaps, to lash or slap, Icel. laski gusset, flap, laska to break. ] 1. The thong or braided cord of a whip, with which the blow is given. [ 1913 Webster ]

I observed that your whip wanted a lash to it. Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A leash in which an animal is caught or held; hence, a snare. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

3. A stroke with a whip, or anything pliant and tough; as, the culprit received thirty-nine lashes. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. A stroke of satire or sarcasm; an expression or retort that cuts or gives pain; a cut. [ 1913 Webster ]

The moral is a lash at the vanity of arrogating that to ourselves which succeeds well. L'Estrange. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. A hair growing from the edge of the eyelid; an eyelash. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. In carpet weaving, a group of strings for lifting simultaneously certain yarns, to form the figure. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Lashed p. pr. & vb. n. Lashng. ] 1. To strike with a lash; to whip or scourge with a lash, or with something like one. [ 1913 Webster ]

We lash the pupil, and defraud the ward. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To strike forcibly and quickly, as with a lash; to beat, or beat upon, with a motion like that of a lash; as, a whale lashes the sea with his tail. [ 1913 Webster ]

And big waves lash the frighted shores. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To throw out with a jerk or quickly. [ 1913 Webster ]

He falls, and lashing up his heels, his rider throws. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. To scold; to berate; to satirize; to censure with severity; as, to lash vice. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To ply the whip; to strike; to utter censure or sarcastic language. [ 1913 Webster ]

To laugh at follies, or to lash at vice. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

To lash out, to strike out wildly or furiously; also used figuratively. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ Cf. D. lasschen to fasten together, lasch piece, joint, Sw. laska to stitch, Dan. laske stitch. See Lash, n. ] To bind with a rope, cord, thong, or chain, so as to fasten; as, to lash something to a spar; to lash a pack on a horse's back. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who whips or lashes. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. A piece of rope for binding or making fast one thing to another; -- called also lashing. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A weir in a river. [ Eng. ] Halliwell. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. See 2d Lasher. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The act of one who, or that which, lashes; castigation; chastisement. South. [ 1913 Webster ]

Lashing out, a striking out; also, extravagance. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Indian name. ] (Zool.) The fresh-water drumfish (Haploidonotus grunniens). [ 1913 Webster ]

adj. splashed or covered patchily with moonlight; as, the moon-splashed world.
Syn. -- moon splashed. [ WordNet 1.5 +PJC ]

v. i. [ Cf. Prov. E. lash extravagant, lashing lavish. ] To drive on rashly; to go to excess; hence, to exaggerate; to boast. [ Obs. ] Barrow. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Excess; exaggeration. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Chem.) A white amorphous or granular substance which consists principally of potassium carbonate, and has a strong alkaline reaction. It is obtained by lixiviating wood ashes, and evaporating the lye, and has been an important source of potassium compounds. It is used in making soap, glass, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The branch of a tree partly cut or bent, and bound to, or intertwined with, other branches. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ OD. plasch. See Plash, v. ] 1. A small pool of standing water; a puddle. Bacon. “These shallow plashes.” Barrow. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A dash of water; a splash. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Plashed p. pr. & vb. n. Plashing. ] [ Cf. D. plassen, G. platschen. Cf. Splash. ] To dabble in water; to splash. “Plashing among bedded pebbles.” Keats. [ 1913 Webster ]

Far below him plashed the waters. Longfellow. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. 1. To splash, as water. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To splash or sprinkle with coloring matter; as, to plash a wall in imitation of granite. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Plashed p. pr. & vb. n. Plashing. ] [ OF. plaissier, plessier, to bend. Cf. Pleach. ] To cut partly, or to bend and intertwine the branches of; as, to plash a hedge. Evelyn. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Plash + -et. ] A small pond or pool; a puddle. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. The cutting or bending and intertwining the branches of small trees, as in hedges. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The dashing or sprinkling of coloring matter on the walls of buildings, to imitate granite, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A hedge or fence formed of branches of trees interlaced, or plashed. [ Obs. ] Carew. [ 1913 Webster ]