Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “flash” come from?

Flash derives from Middle English flasshen and flasken, from Frankish flaska, from Proto-Germanic flaskǭ, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European roots pel- and plek- meaning to fold or twist.

flash (English): To cause to shine briefly or intermittently; To...

Definitions

  1. To cause to shine briefly or intermittently; To...

Ancestry of “flash”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Middle Englishflasshen—

Words derived from “flash”

  • Flash
  • flashes
  • flashlight
  • flashy
  • flashback
  • flashpoint
  • flashbulb
  • flashover
  • flasher
  • flashcard
  • flashily
  • newsflash
  • flashlamp
  • flashiness
  • preflash
  • aflash
  • flashgun
  • photoflash
  • unflashy
  • flashless
  • outflash
  • flashness
  • backflash
  • flashmob
Every word from Middle English flasshen →