noun / verb
gleam
GLEEM/ɡlˈim/
A faint or brief shining of light.
A small gleam of light shines on the silver spoon's rim.
Etymology
Glæm already meant brilliant light or radiance. The modern sense preserves that visible brightness, whether experienced as a brief flash or a steady shine.
In context
A faint gleam from a shuttered front window pointed a finger of light to the gravel path which led to the front door.
More examples
- Moonlight gleams on the wet pavement.
- A faint gleam slips through a gap in the curtains.
- A gleam of amusement appears in her eyes.
Forms
gleam · gleams · gleamed · gleaming