Category:Gleam

Gleam, v. i. Etym: [Cf. OE. glem birdlime, glue, phlegm, and E. englaimed.] (Falconry)

Defn: To disgorge filth, as a hawk.

gleam Gleam, n. Etym: [OE. glem, gleam, AS. glæm, prob. akin to E. glimmer, and perh. to Gr. 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 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. 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 Gleam, v. t.

Defn: To shoot out (flashes of light, etc.). Dying eyes gleamed forth their ashy lights. Shak.