gleam
Use Gleam in a sentence
noun
1.
a flash or beam of light: the gleam of a lantern in the dark.
2.
a dim or subdued light.
3.
a brief or slight manifestation or occurrence; trace: a gleam of hope.
verb (used without object)
4.
to send forth a gleam or gleams.
5.
to appear suddenly and clearly like a flash of light.
00:10
Gleam
is one of our favorite verbs.
So is hornswoggle. Does it mean:
| to chew (food) slowly and thoroughly. |
| to swindle, cheat, hoodwink, or hoax. |
Origin:
before 1000; (noun) Middle English glem(e), Old English glǣm; cognate with Old High German gleimo glowworm; akin to Old Saxon glīmo brightness; (v.) Middle English, derivative of the noun See glimmer, glimpse
before 1000; (noun) Middle English glem(e), Old English glǣm; cognate with Old High German gleimo glowworm; akin to Old Saxon glīmo brightness; (v.) Middle English, derivative of the noun See glimmer, glimpse
Related forms
gleam·ing·ly, adverb
gleam·less, adjective
out·gleam, verb (used with object)
un·gleam·ing, adjective
Synonyms
1. Gleam, glimmer, beam, ray are terms for a stream of light. Gleam denotes a not very brilliant, intermittent or nondirectional stream of light. Glimmer indicates a nondirectional light that is feeble and unsteady: a faint glimmer of moonlight. Beam usually means a directional, and therefore smaller, stream: the beam from a searchlight. Ray usually implies a still smaller amount of light than a beam, a single line of light: a ray through a pinprick in a window shade. 4. shine, glimmer, flash, glitter, sparkle, beam.
1. Gleam, glimmer, beam, ray are terms for a stream of light. Gleam denotes a not very brilliant, intermittent or nondirectional stream of light. Glimmer indicates a nondirectional light that is feeble and unsteady: a faint glimmer of moonlight. Beam usually means a directional, and therefore smaller, stream: the beam from a searchlight. Ray usually implies a still smaller amount of light than a beam, a single line of light: a ray through a pinprick in a window shade. 4. shine, glimmer, flash, glitter, sparkle, beam.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
|
Link To gleam
Collins
World English Dictionary
gleam (ɡliːm) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —n | |
| 1. | a small beam or glow of light, esp reflected light |
| 2. | a brief or dim indication: a gleam of hope |
| —vb | |
| 3. | to send forth or reflect a beam of light |
| 4. | to appear, esp briefly: intelligence gleamed in his eyes |
| [Old English glǣm; related to Old Norse gljā to flicker, Old High German gleimo glow-worm, glīmo brightness, Old Irish glē bright] | |
| 'gleaming | |
| —adj | |
| 'gleamy | |
| —adj | |
| 'gleamingly | |
| —adv | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
gleam
O.E. glæm "brightness, splendor, radiance," from P.Gmc. *glaimiz (cf. M.H.G. glim "spark," gleime "glowworm;" O.N. glija "to shine, glitter"), from root *glim-, from PIE *ghlei- "to shine, glitter, glow, be warm." Verb is early 13c., from the noun.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Example sentences
Yesterday's memories may sparkle and gleam, tomorrow is still but a dream.
They thought they could see through the shimmering gleam of the new mathematics.
His face was the face of a student, thin and ascetic, but his eyes had the cold gleam of the fanatic.
He sets off at a near run across the briny floor until the gleam of a thousand tiny, luminous eyes pulls him up abruptly.
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