What is "flash light"

Light \Light\ (l[imac]t), n. [OE. light, liht, AS. le['o]ht; akin to OS. lioht, D. & G. licht, OHG. lioht, Goth. liuha[thorn], Icel. lj[=o]s, L. lux light, lucere to shine, Gr. leyko`s white, Skr. ruc to shine. [root]122. Cf. Lucid, Lunar, Luminous, Lynx.]

1. That agent, force, or action in nature by the operation of which upon the organs of sight, objects are rendered visible or luminous.

   Note: Light was regarded formerly as consisting of material particles, or corpuscules, sent off in all directions from luminous bodies, and traversing space, in right lines, with the known velocity of about 186,300 miles per second; but it is now generally understood to consist, not in any actual transmission of particles or substance, but in the propagation of vibrations or undulations in a subtile, elastic medium, or ether, assumed to pervade all space, and to be thus set in vibratory motion by the action of luminous bodies, as the atmosphere is by sonorous bodies. This view of the nature of light is known as the undulatory or wave theory; the other, advocated by Newton (but long since abandoned), as the corpuscular, emission, or Newtonian theory. A more recent theory makes light to consist in electrical oscillations, and is known as the electro-magnetic theory of light.

2. That which furnishes, or is a source of, light, as the sun, a star, a candle, a lighthouse, etc.

   Then he called for a light, and sprang in.
   --Acts xvi. 29.

   And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night.
   --Gen. i. 16.

3. The time during which the light of the sun is visible; day; especially, the dawn of day.

   The murderer, rising with the light, killeth the poor and needy.
   --Job xxiv. 1

4. 4. The brightness of the eye or eyes.

   He seemed to find his way without his eyes; For out o'door he went without their helps, And, to the last, bended their light on me.
   --Shak.

5. The medium through which light is admitted, as a window, or window pane; a skylight; in architecture, one of the compartments of a window made by a mullion or mullions.

   There were windows in three rows, and light was against light in three ranks.
   --I Kings vii.4.

6. Life; existence.

   O, spring to light, auspicious Babe, be born !
   --Pope.

7. Open view; a visible state or condition; public observation; publicity.

   The duke yet would have dark deeds darkly answered; he would never bring them to light.
   --Shak.

8. The power of perception by vision.

   My strength faileth me; as for the light of my eyes, it also is gone from me.
   --Ps. xxxviii. 10.

9. That which illumines or makes clear to the mind; mental or spiritual illumination; enlightenment; knowledge; information.

   He shall never know That I had any light of this from thee.
   --Shak.

10. Prosperity; happiness; joy; felicity.

    Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thy health shall spring forth speedily.
    --Is. lviii. 8.

11. (Paint.) The manner in which the light strikes upon a picture; that part of a picture which represents those objects upon which the light is supposed to fall; the more illuminated part of a landscape or other scene; -- opposed to shade. Cf. Chiaroscuro.

12. Appearance due to the particular facts and circumstances presented to view; point of view; as, to state things fairly and put them in the right light.

    Frequent consideration of a thing . . . shows it in its several lights and various ways of appearance.
    --South.

13. One who is conspicuous or noteworthy; a model or example; as, the lights of the age or of antiquity.

    Joan of Arc, A light of ancient France.
    --Tennyson.

14. (Pyrotech.) A firework made by filling a case with a substance which burns brilliantly with a white or colored flame; as, a Bengal light.

    Note: Light is used figuratively to denote that which resembles physical light in any respect, as illuminating, benefiting, enlightening, or enlivening mankind.

    Ancient lights (Law), Calcium light, Flash light, etc. See under Ancient, Calcium, etc.

    Light ball (Mil.), a ball of combustible materials, used to afford light; -- sometimes made so as to be fired from a cannon or mortar, or to be carried up by a rocket.

    Light barrel (Mil.), an empty power barrel pierced with holes and filled with shavings soaked in pitch, used to light up a ditch or a breach.

    Light dues (Com.), tolls levied on ships navigating certain waters, for the maintenance of lighthouses.

    Light iron, a candlestick. [Obs.]

    Light keeper, a person appointed to take care of a lighthouse or light-ship.

    Light money, charges laid by government on shipping entering a port, for the maintenance of lighthouses and light-ships.

    The light of the countenance, favor; kindness; smiles.

    Lord, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us.
    --Ps. iv. 6.

    Northern lights. See Aurora borealis, under Aurora.

    To bring to light, to cause to be disclosed.

    To come to light, to be disclosed.

    To see the light, to come into the light; hence, to come into the world or into public notice; as, his book never saw the light.

    To stand in one's own light, to take a position which is injurious to one's own interest.

Flash \Flash\, n.; pl. Flashes.

1. A sudden burst of light; a flood of light instantaneously appearing and disappearing; a momentary blaze; as, a flash of lightning.

2. A sudden and brilliant burst, as of wit or genius; a momentary brightness or show.

   The flash and outbreak of a fiery mind.
   --Shak.

   No striking sentiment, no flash of fancy.
   --Wirt.

3. The time during which a flash is visible; an instant; a very brief period.

   The Persians and Macedonians had it for a flash.
   --Bacon.

4. A preparation of capsicum, burnt sugar, etc., for coloring and giving a fictitious strength to liquors.

5. a lamp for providing intense momentary light to take a photograph; as, to take a picture without a flash.

   Syn: flashbulb, photoflash, flash lamp, flashgun.

6. Same as flashlight. [informal]

7. (Journalism) A short news item providing recently received and usually preliminary information about an event that is considered important enough to interrupt normal broadcasting or other news delivery services; also called a news flash or bulletin.

   Flash light, or Flashing light, a kind of light shown by lighthouses, produced by the revolution of reflectors, so as to show a flash of light every few seconds, alternating with periods of dimness.
   --Knight.

   Flash in the pan, the flashing of the priming in the pan of a flintlock musket without discharging the piece; hence, sudden, spasmodic effort that accomplishes nothing.

Flash Light is Tom Verlaine's fifth solo album. It was recorded by Mario Salvati at Sorcerer 2, New York City except "The Scientist Writes a Letter", engineered by Mark Wallis. Mixed by Paul O'Duffy at Sarm West, London. Cover from an artwork by Susan Hiller. Layout by John Rimmer at Pointblanc.

"Flash Light" is a song by funk band Parliament, released in January 1978 on the album Funkentelechy Vs. the Placebo Syndrome. It was the first #1 R&B hit by any of the P-Funk groups and reached #16 on the Pop charts. The track became Parliament's second certified million selling single, following " Give Up the Funk (Tear the Roof Off the Sucker)". "Flash Light" also gave Casablanca Records its first number one R&B hit.

The song's distinctive bass line is often attributed to Bootsy Collins and was originally written for him. However, the line was actually performed by Bernie Worrell on three connected Minimoog synthesizers. Collins still contributed to the track by handling drum duties. Lead vocals were by bandleader George Clinton, while Bootsy's older brother Catfish Collins played rhythm guitar. "Flash Light" continued the "Fake the Funk/Your nose will grow/Sir Nose D'Voidoffunk" concept that began with Bootsy's Rubber Band's " The Pinocchio Theory". The success of "Flash Light" would greatly influence not only funk music, but also new wave and hip-hop.

In 2004 Rolling Stone ranked "Flash Light" #199 on its list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. The song is frequently played at United States sporting events.

Clinton recorded a new version of the song, called "Flashlight (Spaceflight)", for the 1999 film Muppets from Space. In 2014, the song was featured in the CSI episode "Killer Moves" as well as a commercial for Grand Theft Auto V.