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   flare

   /flɛː/

   noun

   • 1. a sudden brief burst of bright flame or light: "the flare of the match lit up his face" Similar blazeflashdazzleglareburstunsteady flameflickerglimmershimmergleam
   • ▪ a device producing a very bright flame, used especially as a signal or marker: "a distress flare" Similar distress signalrocketVery lightbeaconlightflashlightsignal
   • ▪ a sudden burst of intense emotion: "she felt a flare of anger within her" Similar burstrushattackeruptionexplosionboutspasmrare:access
   • ▪ a sudden recurrence of an inflammation or other medical condition: "corticosteroid treatment for colitis flares"
   • ▪ a sudden explosion in the chromosphere and corona of the sun or another star, resulting in an intense burst of radiation.
   • ▪ extraneous illumination on film caused by internal reflection in the camera.
   • 2. a gradual widening in shape, especially towards the hem of a garment. Similar wideningspread
   • ▪ trousers whose legs get progressively wider from the knees down.
   • ▪ an upward and outward curve of a ship's bows, designed to throw the water outwards when in motion.

   verb

   • 1. burn or shine with a sudden intensity: "the bonfire crackled and flared up" Similar blazeflashflare upflameburn unsteadilyburn violentlyburn upgleamglowglistensparkleglitterflickerglimmerscintillate
   • ▪ (of a situation or emotion) suddenly become intense or violent: "tempers flared as supporters scuffled with other passengers"
   • ▪ (of a person) suddenly become angry: "she flared up, shouting at Geoffrey"
   • 2. gradually become wider at one end: "the dress flared out into a huge train"
   • ▪ (of a person's nostrils) dilate: "his head lifted fractionally, his nostrils flaring" Similar spreadbroadenwidenget widerexpandsplaydilate
   • ▪ (of a person) cause (the nostrils) to dilate.

   Word Origin mid 16th century (in the sense ‘spread out one's hair’): of unknown origin. Current senses date from the 17th century.

   Scrabble Points: 8

   • F

     4

   • L

     1

   • A

     1

   • R

     1

   • E

     1

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