flicker Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a momentary flash of light
    glint; spark.
  2. noun North American woodpecker
  3. noun the act of moving back and forth
    flutter; waver.
  4. verb move back and forth very rapidly
    flitter; quiver; flutter; waver.
    • the candle flickered
  5. verb shine unsteadily
    flick.
    • The candle flickered
  6. verb flash intermittently
    flick.
    • The lights flicked on and off

WordNet

Flick"er intransitive verb
Etymology
OE. flikeren, flekeren, to flutter, AS. flicerian, flicorian, cf. D. flikkeren to sparkle. 84. Cf. Flacker.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Flickered ; present participle & verbal noun Flickering
Definitions
  1. To flutter; to flap the wings without flying.
    And flickering on her nest made short essays to sing. Dryden.
  2. To waver unsteadily, like a flame in a current of air, or when about to expire; as, the flickering light.
    The shadows flicker to fro. Tennyson.
Flick"er noun
Definitions
  1. The act of wavering or of fluttering; flucuation; sudden and brief increase of brightness; as, the last flicker of the dying flame.
  2. (Zoöl.) The golden-winged woodpecker (Colaptes aurutus); -- so called from its spring note. Called also yellow-hammer, high-holder, pigeon woodpecker, and yucca.
    The cackle of the flicker among the oaks. Thoureau.

Webster 1913