# flashing

Pronunciation: say "FLASH-ing" /ˈflæʃɪŋ/

## Noun

1. The repeated blinking of a light source, such as a bulb or a cursor on a screen.
   - Simple: The quick, repeated switching of a light between on and off.
   - _The flashing of the cursor reminded her the document was still open._
   - _Drivers slowed at the flashing of the amber signal ahead._
3. Sheet metal or other material installed to weatherproof and seal the joints and edges of a roof where the covering is interrupted, such as at walls, valleys, and drains.
   - Simple: Thin strips of metal that stop water from leaking in where a roof meets a wall or chimney.
   - _Improperly installed flashing is a leading cause of roof leaks at chimney joints._
   - _The contractor replaced the rusted flashing along the valley before reshingling._
4. The brief, deliberate exposing of one's naked body, or part of it, in a public place.
   - Simple: Quickly showing your naked body to other people in public.
   - _He was charged with flashing after the incident outside the train station._
   - _Reports of flashing near the campus prompted extra patrols._
5. A sudden flare-up or violent surging forth, as of flame or water.
   - Simple: A sudden burst of fire, light, or water.
   - _The flashing of the magnesium produced an intense white glare._
   - _Witnesses described a flashing of floodwater as the levee gave way._
6. The retail practice of pulling stock from the back of a shelf to the front to close gaps and present a fuller, well-stocked display.
   - Simple: Moving products from the back of a shelf to the front so it looks full.
   - _Closing-shift employees handle the flashing so the morning shelves look fully stocked._
   - _She finished the flashing in the cereal aisle before the evening rush._
7. The application of rhodium plating to a ring to temporarily boost its shine and surface durability.
   - Simple: Adding a thin coat of shiny metal to a ring to make it sparkle for a while.
   - _She paid for flashing to restore the white-gold band's bright finish._
   - _The flashing typically lasts a year or two before the ring needs replating._

## Verb

2. Present participle of flash. — present participle and gerund of flash
   - Simple: Present participle of flash. Use this form for something happening right now.
   - _The sign outside the diner was flashing all night._
   - _Photographers were flashing their cameras as she walked the red carpet._

## Origin

Formed from "flash" plus the suffix "-ing." In the weatherproofing sense, the name is said to come from the original flashing material of copper or aluminum, which reflected flashes of sunlight.

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/flashing (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).