c.1500, "resplendent," from L. flagrantem (nom. flagrans) "burning," prp. of flagrare "to burn," from L. root *flag-, corresponding to PIE *bhleg- "to shine, flash, burn" (cf. Gk. phlegein "to burn, scorch"), from base *bhel- (1) (see
bleach). Sense of "glaringly offensive"