Flashless

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Devoid of any sudden or brief bursts of light
2. Characterized by an absence of intense or momentary illumination
3. Lacking any quick or bright flashes of light that appear rapidly

Etymology: "Flashless" is a plain compound: the noun "flash," meaning a sudden burst of light, with the suffix "-less," meaning "without." Put together, it describes something without a flash of light, which is the sense of lacking bright light. The suffix does the real work here. "-less" has been attached to English nouns since Old English, producing adjectives such as "careless" and "endless," and English speakers can still form new ones on the spot. "Flashless" follows that pattern exactly, so its meaning can be read straight from its parts with no surprises.

Synonyms: unilluminated, dim, dark

Antonyms: bright, luminous, radiant