Main Entry: ¹glance

Pronunciation: \ˈglan(t)s\

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): glanced; glanc·ing

Etymology: Middle English glencen, glenchen

Date: 15th century

intransitive verb 1 : to strike a surface obliquely so as to go off at an angle <the bullet glanced off the wall>
2 a : to make sudden quick movements <dragonflies glancing over the pond> b : to flash or gleam with quick intermittent rays of light <brooks glancing in the sun>
3 : to touch on a subject or refer to it briefly or indirectly <the work glances at the customs of ancient cultures>
4 a of the eyes : to move swiftly from one thing to another b : to take a quick look at something <glanced at his watch>transitive verb 1 archaic a : to take a quick look at b : to catch a glimpse of
2 : to give an oblique path of direction to: a : to throw or shoot so that the object glances from a surface b archaic : to aim (as an innuendo) indirectly : insinuate

— glanc·er noun