flared

Verb

flare (third-person singular simple present flares, present participle flaring, simple past and past participle flared)

1. (transitive) To cause to burn; in particular, to burn off excess gas.
   • Qatar joined the World Bank's Global Gas Flaring Reduction programme in early 2008, indicating its commitment to reducing the process of flaring the gas found with oil deposits.2008, “Going Green: The Country is Keen to Increase Its Environmental Credentials”, in The Report: Qatar 2008, [s.l.]: Oxford Business Group, →ISBN, marginal note, page 247
2. (transitive) To cause inflammation; to inflame.
   • Trying to draw a breath flared the pressure on his chest into searing agony.2012, John Fisk, “October Fifth; Saturday”, in Monk’s Hood, [Bloomington, Ind.]: Xlibris, →ISBN, book 2 (Comes the Demon), page 229
3. (ambitransitive) To open outward in shape.
   • The cat flared its nostrils while sniffing at the air. (transitive)
4. (ambitransitive) To (operate an aircraft to) transition from downward flight to level flight just before landing.
   • After a brief refueling stop in Fairbanks, Billy continued on to the cabin. As he flared the Huey [a helicopter] to land, he could see Moses running out of the cabin to greet him2012, Wil Johnson, chapter 6, in Revenge and Restoration, [Bloomington, Ind.]: Xlibris, →ISBN, page 35
5. (intransitive) To blaze brightly.
   • The blast furnace flared in the night.
6. (intransitive) To shine out with a sudden and unsteady light; to emit a dazzling or painfully bright light.
   • The candle flared in a sudden draught.

See all 23 meanings of flare