Syn. -- To Gleam, Glimmer, Glitter. To gleam denotes a faint but
distinct emission of light. To glimmer describes an indistinct and
unsteady giving of light. To glitter imports a brightness that is
intense, but varying. The morning light gleams upon the earth; a
distant taper glimmers through the mist; a dewdrop glitters in the sun.
See Flash.
Gleam, v. t. To shoot out (flashes of light, etc.).
Dying eyes gleamed forth their ashy lights.
Shak.
Gleam"y, a. Darting beams of light; casting light in rays; flashing;
coruscating.
In brazed arms, that cast a gleamy ray, Swift through the town the
warrior bends his way.
Pope.
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Glean (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Gleaned (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Gleaning.]
[OE. glenen, OF. glener, glaner, F. glaner, fr. LL. glenare; cf. W.
glan clean, glanh&?;u to clean, purify, or AS. gelm, gilm, a
hand&?;ul.]
1. To gather after a reaper; to collect in scattered or fragmentary
parcels, as the grain left by a reaper, or grapes left after the
gathering.
To glean the broken ears after the man That the main harvest reaps.
Shak.