a sudden bright light that lasts only a moment
A flash of lightning lit up the night sky for an instant.
The photographer used a bright flash to light the model's face.
✦ From Middle English flasshen, of imitative origin, echoing the sudden sound and sight of a burst of light
to shine, appear, or show something for a very short time
The warning light flashed red on the dashboard.
She flashed her ticket at the guard and hurried inside.
✦ Same origin as noun; the verb developed from the imagery of light bursting suddenly
a very short moment of time
I'll be back in a flash.
The race was over in a flash.
✦ Metaphorical extension from the idea of a burst of light to a burst of time
looking rich, fashionable, or expensive in a way meant to impress people
He turned up in a flash new sports car.
That's a flash watch you're wearing.
✦ British slang from the 19th century, possibly linking to ‘flashy’, meaning showy
a small card that has a word or question on one side and its answer or meaning on the other side, used for learning or remembering information quickly.
The students flipped through their flashcards before the test.
My mom made flashcards to help me learn the times tables.
✦ Early 20th century. From 'flash' (to study or learn something quickly by looking at it briefly) + 'card'. Invented as a tool for rapid memorization and spaced repetition learning.
