flashing

[flash-ing]

noun

1. Building Trades.,  pieces of sheet metal or the like used to cover and protect certain joints and angles, as where a roof comes in contact with a wall or chimney, especially against leakage.

2. the act of creating an artificial flood in a conduit or stream, as in a sewer for cleansing it.

3. Photography, Movies.,  the process of increasing film speed by exposing undeveloped film briefly to a weak light source before using it or of exposing photographic printing paper to reduce contrast.

flashing

/ ˈflæʃɪŋ /

noun

1. a weatherproof material, esp thin sheet metal, used to cover the valleys between the slopes of a roof, the junction between a chimney and a roof, etc

Other Word Forms

• interflashing noun
• unflashing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of flashing¹

First recorded in 1775–85; flash + -ing ¹

Example Sentences

“Attention law enforcement” a robotic voice announces over an opening scene of a flashing siren in what looks like a tough part of an unidentified city.

From Los Angeles Times

This footage can be vital in securing evidence as inconsiderate driving is an offence - whether it's flashing your headlights, beeping your horn, tailgating or shouting.

From BBC

Heather Williams, president of the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee, said the victory “should send a flashing warning to the GOP,” in a statement released on Tuesday.

From Salon

In many areas, the thunderstorms dropped little or no rain but brought lightning strikes flashing across the sky from interior Southern California to the northern Sierras this weekend.

From Los Angeles Times

“I was just coming in my back door and there was just this incredible flashing of white lights,” Twohy said.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• blazing 
• brilliant 
• dazzling 
• glistening www.thesaurus.com
• glittering www.thesaurus.com
• golden 
• intense 
• luminous 
• radiant 
• shimmering www.thesaurus.com
• shiny 
• silvery 
• sparkling 
• sunny 
• vivid