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flash bulb - 2 dictionary results

flash⋅bulb

[flash-buhlb]
–noun Photography.
a glass bulb, filled with oxygen and aluminum or zirconium wire or foil, which, when ignited electrically, burns with a brilliant flash to provide momentary illumination of a subject.
Also, flash bulb.
Also called flash.


Origin:
1930–35; flash + bulb
flash·bulb or flash bulb   (flāsh'bŭlb')   
n.  A glass bulb filled with finely shredded aluminum or magnesium foil that is ignited by electricity to produce a short-duration high-intensity light flash for taking photographs. Also called photoflash.
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