Word: flare Part of Speech: noun Etymology: Origin uncertain, first recorded in the mid 16th century, probably related to Latin flagrō (“to burn”). Norwegian flara (“to blaze; to flaunt in gaudy attire”) has a similar meaning, but the English word predates it. Possibly related to Middle High German vlederen (“to flutter”), represented by modern German flattern. The noun is derived from the verb. Pronunciation: /flɛə̯/, /flɛɚ̯/, /fleː/, /fleə/, /fliə/ 1. A sudden bright light. 2. A source of brightly burning light or intense heat. Example: solar flare Example: I was looking in the direction of the lightship off and on from the time we first sighted her. I could not be mistaken in such a matter as a flare-up light. By a flare-up light I mean a large bright light waved in the air, something like a torch dipped in resin and waved about. I am prepared to say that any person who has sworn that she shewed a flare-up light from the lightship while the Kanagawa Maru was passing has perjured himself. 3. A source of brightly burning light or intense heat. Example: Flares were used to steer the traffic away from the accident. Example: The flares attracted the heat-seeking missiles. 4. A source of brightly burning light or intense heat. Example: Flare stacks are used in gas plants, petroleum refineries, and petrochemical plants to combust surplus hydrocarbons to produce combustion products that are neither toxic nor combustible. Flares frequently incorporate a liquid-gas separator at the base of the stack and steam assisted burner nozzles at the top of the stack to aid complete combustion. 5. A sudden eruption or outbreak; a flare-up. Labels: figuratively Example: "A strange flare of maternal pride," he remarked in his usual detached fashion as he rejoined Parkinson. Example: Antiinflammatory corticosteroid creams and ointments are prescribed for inflamed or lichenified areas. These creams are more effective when applied to damp skin. The lowest potency that controls signs should be used, and topical steroids are usually reserved for treatment of episodic flares. 6. A widening of an object with an otherwise roughly constant width. Example: During assembly of a flare tube fitting, a flare nut is used to secure the flared tubing’s tapered end to the also tapered fitting, producing a pressure-resistant, leak-tight seal. Example: That's a genuine early 70's flare on those pants. 7. A widening of an object with an otherwise roughly constant width. 8. Bell-bottom trousers. Labels: in-plural Example: In the early 1970's, a giddy epoch in men's fashion, when denim flares and platform oxfords were the outer edge of style, Giorgio Armani made a suit that stretched. Imbued with spandex, the elastic fiber that gives a fabric extra bounce, the suit was one of the first in a long line of innovations that would eventually make Armani as familiar a brand as Kleenex. Example: As a teenager I hitch-hiked around free rock concerts, wearing flowered shirts and denim flares – jeans that were worn so much, in such rough conditions, and with so little attention to washing and care that after a while they became naturally abraded and frayed in just the manner that is simulated by commerce today. 9. The transition from downward flight to level flight just before landing. Example: The captain executed the flare perfectly, and we lightly touched down. Example: In normal operations, the rate of descent (or sink rate) will be approximately constant as the airplane approaches the runway. The objective of the flare is to reduce the vertical speed to an acceptably low value at the time when contact is made with the ground. […] Typically, the airplane will slow down a little in the flare and the touchdown speed will be about 3 to 5 kt less than the speed at the screen height[…]. 10. A low fly ball that is hit in the region between the infielders and the outfielders. Example: Jones hits a little flare to left that falls for a single. Example: An observant base runner checks the outfield defense and easily goes from first to third when the batter hits a flare to right field. A base runner who does not observe the depth of the outfield must turn to watch the ball, see it drop, and then run. He probably doesn't make it to third base. 11. A route run by the running back, releasing toward the sideline and then slightly arcing upfield looking for a short pass. 12. Ellipsis of lens flare. Labels: abbreviation, alt-of, ellipsis Example: The defect in question is the flare which frequently arises from the use of compound lenses when there is a very bright object in front, resulting in a ghost-like image of that object being thrown upon the plate. If the image of the object thus duplicated be in focus we designate it a "ghost;" if out of focus we call it "flare." 13. An inflammation such as of tendons (tendonitis) or joints (osteoarthritis). 14. A breakdance move of someone helicoptering his torso on alternating arms.