Definitions for: Gleam


[n] an appearance of reflected light
[n] a flash of light (especially reflected light)
[v] appear briefly; "A terrible thought gleamed in her mind"
[v] shine brightly, like a star or a light
[v] be shiny, as if wet; "His eyes were glistening"



Webster (1913) Definition: Gleam, v. i. [Cf. OE. glem birdlime, glue, phlegm, and
E. englaimed.] (Falconry)
To disgorge filth, as a hawk.


Gleam, n. [OE. glem, gleam, AS. gl[ae]m, prob. akin to
E. glimmer, and perh. to Gr. ? warm, ? to warm. Cf.
Glitter.]
1. A shoot of light; a small stream of light; a beam; a ray;
a glimpse.

Transient unexpected gleams of joi. --Addison.

At last a gleam Of dawning light turned thitherward
in haste His [Satan's] traveled steps. --Milton.

A glimmer, and then a gleam of light. --Longfellow.

2. Brightness; splendor.

In the clear azure gleam the flocks are seen.
--Pope.


Gleam, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Gleamed; p. pr. & vb. n.
Gleaming.]
1. To shoot, or dart, as rays of light; as, at the dawn,
light gleams in the east.

2. To shine; to cast light; to glitter.

Syn: To Gleam, Glimmer, Glitter.

Usage: To gleam denotes a faint but distinct emission of
light. To glimmer describes an indistinct and unsteady
giving of light. To glitter imports a brightness that
is intense, but varying. The morning light gleams upon
the earth; a distant taper glimmers through the mist;
a dewdrop glitters in the sun. See Flash.


Gleam, v. t.
To shoot out (flashes of light, etc.).

Dying eyes gleamed forth their ashy lights. --Shak.

Synonyms: gleaming, gleaming, glimmer, glimmer, glint, glisten, glitter, glow, lambency, shine

See Also: appear, appear, come along, effulgence, emit light, flash, look, radiance, radiancy, radiate, refulgence, refulgency, seem, shimmer, shine, spangle

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