flɛə v. & n. --v. 1 intr. & tr.
widen or
cause to widen gradually
towards the top or
bottom (flared trousers). 2 intr. & tr. burn or cause to burn suddenly
with a
bright unsteady flame. 3 intr.
burst into anger; burst
forth. --n. 1 a a dazzling
irregular flame or
light,
esp. in the
open air. b a
sudden outburst of flame. 2 a a signal light used at
sea. b a bright light used as a signal. c a flame dropped
from an
aircraft to
illuminate a
target etc. 3 Astron. a sudden burst of
radiation from a
star. 4 a a
gradual widening, esp. of a
skirt or
trousers. b (in pl.) wide-bottomed trousers. 5 an
outward bulge in a ship's sides. 6 Photog.
unnecessary illumination on a
lens caused by
internal reflection etc. øflare-path an
area illuminated to
enable an aircraft to
land or
take off. flare up 1 burst into a sudden blaze. 2
become suddenly
angry or
active. flare-up n. an outburst of flame, anger,
activity, etc. [16th
c.: orig. unkn.]
