Gleam

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -iːm

Origin

• noun Originates before the first millennium from Middle English gleme, from Old English glæm; see Proto-Indo-European *ghel-.
• verb Derived from the Middle English noun form before the first millennium.

Full definition of gleam

Noun

1. a small or indistinct shaft or stream of light.
• LongfellowA glimmer, and then a gleam of light.
2. a glimpse or hint; an indistinct sign of something.The rescue workers preserved a gleam of optimism that they might still survive.
3. brightness or shininess; splendor.
• Alexander PopeIn the clear azure gleam the flocks are seen.

Synonyms

• (small shaft or stream of light) beam, ray
• (glimpse or indistinct sign) flicker, glimmer, trace
• (brightness or splendor) dazzle, lambency, shine

Verb

1. To shine; to glitter; to glisten.
2. To be briefly but strongly apparent.
3. (obsolete, falconry) To disgorge filth, as a hawk.

Synonyms

• to shine, glitter, or glisten glint, sparkle
• to radiate or emanate glow, shine
• to be briefly but strongly apparent flare, flash, kindle