glimpse
UK: ɡlɪmps | US: ɡlɪmps
n. a brief or partial view of something
vt. to see something briefly or partially
glimpse = glim<shine, flash> + se (obsolete suffix)
- glim (from Middle English glimsen, meaning "to shine faintly" or "flash")
- se (an archaic suffix with no standalone meaning in modern English)
Etymology Origin:
The word "glimpse" originated in Middle English as glimsen, derived from the Old English root glīm- (related to light or brightness). Over time, the meaning shifted from "a faint flash of light" to "a fleeting sight," emphasizing brevity and partial visibility. The modern spelling stabilized in the 16th century, retaining the core idea of a momentary perception.
She caught a glimpse of the ocean through the trees.
He glimpsed a figure running away in the dark.
The documentary offers a glimpse into ancient traditions.
I only had a fleeting glimpse of the rare bird.
The telescope allows us to glimpse distant galaxies.