heat flash
- noun
- /hiːt flæʃ/
- Specialized
:
destello de calor
- During the nuclear test, everyone felt the powerful heat flash that followed the initial blast.
Examples
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Remember, the heat flash and concussion that follow are dangerous.
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The soldiers were trained to protect themselves from the intense heat flash produced by a nearby explosion.
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After the heat flash from the bomb, the area was engulfed in a wave of fire and destruction.
Synonyms
273
1.7
A sudden, brief burst of bright light, for example from a camera
57
3.5
A short, strong period of activity or feeling
39
3.7
A sudden bright light or flame that appears briefly
20
5.1
A sudden hot feeling and heavy sweating that often happens during menopause
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'a brief, intense burst of heat' is directly derivable from combining 'heat' (thermal energy) with 'flash' (a sudden, brief burst). The noun 'flash' commonly extends beyond light to denote any sudden short occurrence (e.g., 'flash flood'), so a B1 learner who knows both constituents can reasonably infer this MWE's meaning.
Etymology
Heat flash comes from the image of a very bright, sudden burst of heat, like the instant light and heat from an explosion that can burn people and break windows. So, heat flash means 'a short, very strong wave of heat' caused by an explosion.