¹glisten

verb glis·ten \ˈgli-s^ən\

: to shine with light reflected off a wet surface

glis·tenedglis·ten·ing \ˈgli-s^ən-iŋ\

Full Definition of GLISTEN

intransitive verb

: to give off a sparkling or lustrous reflection of or as if of a moist or polished surface

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Origin of GLISTEN

Middle English glistnen, from Old English glisnian; akin to Old English glisian to glitter, geolu yellow — more at yellow

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to GLISTEN

Synonyms: coruscate, flame, glance, gleam, glimmer, glint, flash, glister, glitter, luster (or lustre), scintillate, shimmer, spangle, sparkle, twinkle, wink, winkle

Synonym Discussion of GLISTEN

flash, gleam, glint, sparkle, glitter, glisten, glimmer, shimmer mean to send forth light. flash implies a sudden outburst of bright light <lightning flashed>. gleam suggests a steady light seen through an obscuring medium or against a dark background <lights gleamed in the valley>. glint implies a cold glancing light <glinting steel>. sparkle suggests innumerable moving points of bright light <the sparkling waters>. glitter connotes a brilliant sparkling or gleaming <glittering diamonds>. glisten applies to the soft sparkle from a wet or oily surface <glistening wet sidewalk>. glimmer suggests a faint or wavering gleam <a distant glimmering light>. shimmer means shining with a wavering light <a shimmering satin dress>.