flares

flare  (flâr)

v. flared, flar·ing, flares

v.intr.

1. To flame up with a bright, wavering light.

2. To burst into intense, sudden flame.

3.

a. To erupt or intensify suddenly: Tempers flared at the meeting. His allergies flared up.

b. To become suddenly angry. Used with up: He flared up when she alluded to his financial difficulties.

c. To make a sudden angry verbal attack. Used with out: flared out at his accusers.

4. To expand or open outward in shape: a skirt that flares from the waist; nostrils that flared with anger.

v.tr.

1. To cause to flame up.

2. To signal with a blaze of light.

n.

1. A brief wavering blaze of light.

2. A device that produces a bright light for signaling, illumination, or identification.

3. An outbreak, as of emotion or activity.

4. An expanding or opening outward.

5. An unwanted reflection within an optical system or the resultant fogging of the image.

6. A solar flare.

7.

a. Football A short pass to a back running toward the sideline.

b. Baseball A fly ball hit a short distance into the outfield.

8. Medicine An area of redness on the skin surrounding the primary site of infection or irritation.

---

[Origin unknown.]

---

flares [flɛəz]

pl n

(Clothing & Fashion) Informal trousers with legs that widen below the knee