Flare, n. (Photog.) A defect in a photographic objective such that an image of the stop, or diaphragm, appears as a fogged spot in the center of the developed negative.

Flare (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Flared (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Flaring.] [Cf. Norw. flara to blaze, flame, adorn with tinsel, dial. Sw. flasa upp, and E. flash, or flacker.] 1. To burn with an unsteady or waving flame; as, the candle flares.

2. To shine out with a sudden and unsteady light; to emit a dazzling or painfully bright light.

3. To shine out with gaudy colors; to flaunt; to be offensively bright or showy.

With ribbons pendant, flaring about her head.

4. To be exposed to too much light. [Obs.]

Flaring in sunshine all the day.

5. To open or spread outwards; to project beyond the perpendicular; as, the sides of a bowl flare; the bows of a ship flare.

Flare, n. 1. An unsteady, broad, offensive light.

2. A spreading outward; as, the flare of a fireplace.

Flare, n. Leaf of lard. "Pig's flare." Dunglison.

Flare, n. (Photog.) A defect in a photographic objective such that an image of the stop, or diaphragm, appears as a fogged spot in the center of the developed negative.

• A brightly burning light used to attract attention in an emergency, or to illuminate an area.
        The flares steered the traffic away from the accident.
  
• A widening of the lower legs of trousers and jeans.
        That's a genuine early '70's flare on those pants.
  
• (aircraft) The transition from downward flight to level flight just before landing.
        The captain executed the flare perfectly, and we lightly touched down.
  
• (baseball) A low fly ball that is hit in the region between the infielders and the outfielders
        Jones hits a little flare to left that falls for a single.
  
• (intransitive): To blaze brightly.
        The blast furnace flared in the night.
  
• (intransitive): To burn unsteadily.
  
• (intransitive): To burst out suddenly, as in anger (often with up or out.)
        The insult made him flare up.
  
• (transitive): to make flare.