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| Language: | Old English |
| Origin: | glisnian |
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glis‧ten
[intransitive]
[intransitive]
glistening black hair ➔ see usage note gleam1WORD CHOICE: WORD CHOICE:
gleam, glint, glisten, glitter, glowAll these words mean 'to shine' but are used in slightly different ways.gleam is used especially of smooth clean surfaces that shine • She polished the car until it gleamed. • gleaming white teethglint means to shine brightly with a small flash of light. It is used especially of shiny metals • Her jewellery glinted in the sun.glisten is used of wet or oily surfaces that shine • The wet streets glistened.glitter means to shine brightly with many small flashes of light • the glittering frostglow means to shine with a warm soft steady light. It is often used of things that give off heat • The coal in the fireplace was still glowing. ➔ See also gleam
WORD CHOICE: gleam, glint, glisten, glitter, glowAll these words mean 'to shine' but are used in slightly different ways.gleam is used especially of smooth clean surfaces that shine • She polished the car until it gleamed. • gleaming white teethglint means to shine brightly with a small flash of light. It is used especially of shiny metals • Her jewellery glinted in the sun.glisten is used of wet or oily surfaces that shine • The wet streets glistened.glitter means to shine brightly with many small flashes of light • the glittering frostglow means to shine with a warm soft steady light. It is often used of things that give off heat • The coal in the fireplace was still glowing. ➔ See also gleam
