glimpse
[ glimps ]
/ glɪmps /
noun
verb (used with object), glimpsed, glimps·ing.
to catch or take a glimpse of.
verb (used without object), glimpsed, glimps·ing.
to look briefly; glance (usually followed by at).
Archaic. to come into view; appear faintly.
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Origin of glimpse
1350–1400; Middle English glimsen (v.); cognate with Middle High German glimsen to glow; akin to glimmer
OTHER WORDS FROM glimpse
glimps·er, nounun·glimpsed, adjectiveWORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH glimpse
glance glimpseWords nearby glimpse
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
Example sentences from the Web for glimpse
British Dictionary definitions for glimpse
glimpse
/ (ɡlɪmps) /
noun
a brief or incomplete viewto catch a glimpse of the sea
a vague indicationhe had a glimpse of what the lecturer meant
archaic a glimmer of light
verb
(tr) to catch sight of briefly or momentarily
(intr usually foll by at) mainly US to look (at) briefly or cursorily; glance (at)
(intr) archaic to shine faintly; glimmer
Derived forms of glimpse
glimpser, nounWord Origin for glimpse
C14: of Germanic origin; compare Middle High German glimsen to glimmer
usage for glimpse
Glimpse is sometimes wrongly used where glance is meant: he gave a quick glance (not glimpse) at his watch
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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