gleam

[gleem] /glim/
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.
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
Related forms
gleamingly, adverb
gleamless, adjective
outgleam, verb (used with object)
ungleaming, 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.
Examples from the web for gleam
  • Yesterday's memories may sparkle and gleam, tomorrow is still but a dream.
  • Research with human embryos is not a mere gleam in the eye of medical science.
  • Little waves played with the sun, sometimes throwing a gleam into our eyes.
  • Still, he dealt with drug addicts on a daily basis, and he'd spotted the same demonic gleam in my eye.
  • And his eyes gleam as he ruminates on the related business to be gained by purchasing a hotel chain.
  • Cars parked on city streets have an unnatural gleam.
  • The exquisite illustrations gleam with gold embossing.
  • Heaven be praised for this gleam of national sunshine.
  • The metallic gleam and ornate decoration carried over to the music.
  • There is not much color in this technique, no hint of gleam or brilliance in the sound it produces.
British Dictionary definitions for gleam

gleam

/ɡliːm/
noun
1.
a small beam or glow of light, esp reflected light
2.
a brief or dim indication: a gleam of hope
verb (intransitive)
3.
to send forth or reflect a beam of light
4.
to appear, esp briefly: intelligence gleamed in his eyes
Derived Forms
gleaming, adjective
gleamy, adjective
gleamingly, adverb
Word Origin
Old English glǣm; related to Old Norse gljā to flicker, Old High German gleimo glow-worm, glīmo brightness, Old Irish glē bright
Word Origin and History for gleam
n.

Old English glæm "brilliant light; brightness, splendor, radiance," from Proto-Germanic *glaimiz (cf. Old Saxon glimo "brightness;" Middle High German glim "spark," gleime "glowworm;" German glimmen "to glimmer, glow;" Old Norse glija "to shine, glitter"), from root *glim-, from PIE *ghel- "to shine, glitter, glow" (see glass).

v.

early 13c., from gleam (n). Related: Gleamed; gleaming.