First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1flicker
verb flick·er \ˈfli-kər\
: to burn or glow in an unsteady way : to produce an unsteady light
: to appear or pass briefly or quickly
flick·eredflick·er·ing \-k(ə-)riŋ\
Full Definition of FLICKER
intransitive verb
1
: to move irregularly or unsteadily : flutter
2
: to burn or shine fitfully or with a fluctuating light <a candle flickering in the window>
3
: to appear briefly
transitive verb
1
: to cause to flicker
See flicker defined for English-language learners
See flicker defined for kids
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Origin of FLICKER
Middle English flikeren, from Old English flicorian
2flicker
noun
Definition of FLICKER
1
a : an act of flickering b : a sudden brief movement c : a momentary quickening <a flicker of anger> d : a slight indication : hint
2
a : a wavering light b : a repeated momentary defect in a cathode-ray tube image caused especially by slow scanning of the screen
First Known Use of FLICKER
1822
3flicker
noun
Definition of FLICKER
: a large barred and spotted North American woodpecker (Colaptes auratus) with a brown back that commonly forages on the ground for ants — compare red-shafted flicker, yellow-shafted flicker
Origin of FLICKER
probably imitative of its call
First Known Use: 1809
FLICKER Defined for Kids
1flicker
verb flick·er \ˈfli-kər\
flick·eredflick·er·ing
Definition of FLICKER for Kids
1
: to burn unsteadily <a flickering candle>
2
: to appear briefly <A smile flickered across her face.>
3
: to move quickly <Roy's eyes flickered to her hand … — Carl Hiaasen, Hoot>
2flicker
noun
Definition of FLICKER for Kids
1
: a quick small movement <a flicker of the eyelids>
2
: a quick movement of light
3flicker
noun
Definition of FLICKER for Kids
: a large North American woodpecker
Medical Dictionary
flicker
noun flick·er \ˈflik-ər\
Medical Definition of FLICKER
: the wavering or fluttering visual sensation produced by intermittent light when the interval between flashes is not small enough to produce complete fusion of the individual impressions
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