Flare

A flare, also sometimes called a fusée or Bengala in some Latin-speaking countries, is a type of pyrotechnic that produces a bright light or intense heat without an explosion. Flares are used for distress signalling, illumination, or defensive countermeasures in civilian and military applications. Flares may be ground pyrotechnics, projectile pyrotechnics, or parachute-suspended to provide maximum illumination time over a large area. Projectile pyrotechnics may be dropped from aircraft, fired from rocket or artillery, or deployed by flare guns or handheld percussive tubes.

The earliest recorded use of gunpowder for signalling purposes was the 'signal bomb' used by the Chinese Song Dynasty as the Mongol-led Yuan Dynasty besieged Yangzhou in 1276. These soft-shelled bombs, timed to explode in mid-air, were used to send messages to a detachment of troops far in the distance. Another mention of the signal bomb appears in a text dating from 1293 requesting their collection from those still stored in Zhejiang. A signal gun appears in Korea by 1600. The Wu I Thu Phu Thung Chih or Illustrated Military Encyclopedia is written in 1791 depicts a signal gun in an illustration.

In the civilian world, flares are commonly used as signals, and may be ignited on the ground or fired as an aerial signal from a pistol-like flare gun, or launched from a self-contained tube. Flares are commonly found in marine survival kits.

A flare of something went through his gaze.

The flare in her eyes drew him, promised of passionate depths.

As she stared, the silver seemed to flare into a deep glow and swirl around her irises like cars around a racetrack.

Two hours remained before the last of the day's celebrations— the Jeep flare parade down the mountain, followed by a massive fireworks display—so after finishing supper, the Deans began playing catch up with Bird Song's chores.

by ☬Ù̸͚N̵͈̊I̸☬ Dictionary December 5, 2021

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fairy flare

A term used to describe glow sticks. Typically used in reference to candy kids that dance with them at raves.

Yo son, did you see that noodle waving his fairy flares around?

by melchomis June 23, 2007

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solar flare

Taking a dump in a tanning bed.

Friend 1 " Dude what took you so long, your time in the bed was only 10 minutes.:
Friend 2 (the culprit) " There was a solar flare event...."
Friend 1 "Ohio is the best!"
Friend 1 and 2 Exchange High Fives
Friend 1 yells "SHOTS!"
End Scene

by Falcon The Turd Bomber June 1, 2010

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flared

utterly outraged, going ballistic

i'm totally flared. the girls promised yesterday to give me a ride to work and now drove right past me by the side of the road. they were talking and just forgot me.i'm totally flared, and still have to get to work. flared.

by decunningham August 21, 2003

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