flashover

[ flash-oh-ver ]

noun

1. Electricity. a disruptive discharge around or over the surface of a solid or liquid insulator.
2. the moment of conflagration or complete incineration caused by superheated air or combustibles.

verb (used without object)

1. Electricity. to have or experience a flashover.

flashover

/ ˈflæʃˌəʊvə /

noun

1. an electric discharge over or around the surface of an insulator
2. the sudden and rapid spread of fire through the air, caused by the ignition of smoke or fumes from surrounding objects

Word History and Origins

Origin of flashover¹

First recorded in 1890–95; originally noun use of verb phrase flash over