flicker

Meanings

Noun

• An unsteady flash of light.
• A short moment.
• Any of certain small woodpeckers, especially of the genus Colaptes.
• One who flicks.

Verb

• To burn or shine unsteadily, or with a wavering light.
• To keep going on and off; to appear and disappear for short moments; to flutter.
• To flutter or flap.

Origin

• From Middle English flikeren, from Old English flicerian, flicorian.
• Akin to Saterland Frisian flikkerje,
• West Frisian flikkerje, Dutch flikkeren, German Low German flickern. Compare Old English flacor, German flackern, Old English flēoġan.
• 1808, American English, probably echoic of the bird's call, or from the white spotted plumage which appears to flicker.
• flick + -er