gleamyadj.
/ˈɡliːmi/, U.S. /ˈɡlimi/ 1. That gleams or sends forth gleams (of light).
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > light > light emitted in particular manner > [adjective] > gleaming, glimmering, or flickering
levininga1340
leaming1387
gloringa1400
gleamingc1400
glimpsing1551
shimmering1558
glooming1579
brandishing1581
gleamy1593
glancing1596
glimmering1600
flickering1608
flashing1616
blinking1681
glimmerous1793
skimmeringa1800
aglimmer1828
agleam1854
aglint1871
aglance1880
glinting1883
shimmery1883
glimmery1906
1593 T. Nashe Christs Teares f. 71 So beset they theyr fore-heads..with glorious borrowed gleamy bushes.
1747 W. Collins Odes 34 Again they snatch the gleamy Steel.
1821 J. Baillie W. Wallace in Metrical Legends xcv. 13 Her gleamy lakes and torrents clear.
1842 F. W. Faber Styrian Lake 269 His eye surfeited with blaze of gems And gleamy metals.
1853 B. Disraeli Vivian Grey (new ed.) v. xv. 222 Fish, gleamy with prismatic hues.
2.
a. That is lighted up by gleams; esp. of weather: marked by intermittent sunshine. Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > weather and the atmosphere > weather > fine weather > [adjective] > clear > sunny > intermittently
gleamy1689
1689 J. Chetham Angler's Vade Mecum (ed. 2) xli. 313 Sultry or gleamy day.
1693 J. Clayton in Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 17 947 If gleamy Weather happen at that time, it [sc. the tobacco-plant] breeds a small Flie.
1792 W. Wordsworth Descr. Sketches 214 And antique castles seen through gleamy showers.
1880 B. Disraeli Endymion I. xii. 92 They caught enticing vistas of the gleamy glades, and the abounding light and shade softened and adorned everything.
1880 Blackie in Scotsman 2 Sept. 'Twas a cold gleamy day all hueless and gray.
1889 E. Peacock Gloss. Words Manley & Corringham, Lincs. (ed. 2) Gleamy, weather that is fitful and uncertain. Rain-clouds and sunshine blended is called ‘gleamy’ weather.
b. Of sunshine: Intermittent, coming in gleams.
ΚΠ
1883 ‘Holme Lee’ Loving & Serving I. xiv. 261 A gleamy, wild sunshine burst forth.
1892 Field 14 May 718/2 The shafts of sunlight are rare and gleamy.
3. Of light or colour: Having the nature of a gleam.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > light > light emitted in particular manner > [adjective] > gleaming, glimmering, or flickering > of light
gleamy1700
1700 J. Dryden Chaucer's Wife of Bathe's Tale in Fables 487 The Moon was up and shot a gleamy Light.
1776 W. J. Mickle tr. L. de Camoens Lusiad 201 Soon as the gleamy streaks of purple morn The lofty forest's topmost boughs adorn.
1857 S. Birch Hist. Anc. Pottery (1858) II. 333 Sometimes the paste is intermingled with micaceous particles..which gives it a gleamy colour when broken.
1867 J. Ingelow Dreams that came True lxxi Stands by his fire, and dulls its gleamy light.
Derivatives
ˈgleaminess n.
ΚΠ
1830 Fraser's Mag. 2 58 Of..the gleaminess which seemeth to fall like an angel's raiment about the form of poetry, the author of the Rambler knew nothing.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1900; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.1593