gleam

Noun · Verb
Synonyms: gleamingglowlambencyglimmerglitterglistenglintshine

WordNet 3.0

Noun (2)

  1. an appearance of reflected lightSynonyms: gleamingglowlambency
  2. a flash of light (especially reflected light)Synonyms: gleamingglimmer

Verb (3)

  1. be shiny, as if wet“His eyes were glistening”Synonyms: glitterglistenglintshine
  2. shine brightly, like a star or a lightSynonyms: glimmer
  3. appear briefly“A terrible thought gleamed in her mind”
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Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Gleam \Gleam\, v. t. To shoot out (flashes of light, etc.). [1913 Webster]

Dying eyes gleamed forth their ashy lights. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

Gleam \Gleam\, v. i. [Cf. OE. glem birdlime, glue, phlegm, and E. englaimed.] (Falconry) To disgorge filth, as a hawk. [1913 Webster]
Gleam \Gleam\, n. [OE. glem, gleam, AS. gl[ae]m, prob. akin to E. glimmer, and perh. to Gr. ? warm, ? to warm. Cf. Glitter.] [1913 Webster]

1.A shoot of light; a small stream of light; a beam; a ray; a glimpse. [1913 Webster]

Transient unexpected gleams of joi.— Addison.[1913 Webster]
At last a gleam Of dawning light turned thitherward in haste His [Satan's] traveled steps.— Milton.[1913 Webster]
A glimmer, and then a gleam of light.— Longfellow.[1913 Webster]

2.Brightness; splendor. [1913 Webster]

In the clear azure gleam the flocks are seen.— Pope.[1913 Webster]
Gleam \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. [1913 Webster]

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. [1913 Webster]

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