gleam

/ˈglēm/

Middle English gleem, from Old English glǣm; akin to Old English geolu yellow

noun

  1. a transient appearance of subdued or partly obscured light

  2. a small bright light

  3. glint

the gleam of dawn in the east

verb

  1. to shine with or as if with subdued steady light or moderate brightness

  2. to appear briefly or faintly

  3. to cause to gleam

flash gleam glint sparkle glitter glisten glimmer shimmer mean to send forth light. flash implies a sudden outburst of bright light. gleam suggests a steady light seen through an obscuring medium or against a dark background.