flare

Meanings

A sudden bright light.
A source of brightly burning light or intense heat.
A sudden eruption or outbreak; a flare-up.
A widening of an object with an otherwise roughly constant width.
Bell-bottom trousers.
The transition from downward flight to level flight just before landing.
A low fly ball that is hit in the region between the infielders and the outfielders.
A route run by the running back, releasing toward the sideline and then slightly arcing upfield looking for a short pass.
An inflammation such as of tendons (tendonitis) or joints (osteoarthritis).
A breakdance move of someone helicoptering his torso on alternating arms.

To cause to burn.
To cause inflammation; to inflame.
To open outward in shape.
To (operate an aircraft to) transition from downward flight to level flight just before landing.
To blaze brightly.
To shine out with a sudden and unsteady light; to emit a dazzling or painfully bright light.
To shine out with gaudy colours; to be offensively bright or showy.
To suddenly happen or intensify.
To suddenly erupt in anger.
To be exposed to too much light.

Origin unknown, first recorded in the mid 16th century, probably related to Latin flagrō ("I burn"). Norwegian flara ("to blaze; to flaunt in gaudy attire") has a similar meaning, but the English word predates it. Possibly related to Middle High German vlederen ("to flutter"), represented by modern German flattern.
The noun is derived from the verb.

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