coruscation

American  

[kawr-uh-skey-shuhn, kor-] / ˌkɔr əˈskeɪ ʃən, ˌkɒr- /

noun

1. the act of coruscating.

2. a sudden gleam or flash of light.

3. a striking display of brilliance or wit.

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coruscation British  

/ ˌkɒrəˈskeɪʃən /

noun

1. a gleam or flash of light

2. a sudden or striking display of brilliance, wit, etc

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Etymology

Origin of coruscation

First recorded in 1480–90, coruscation is from the Late Latin word coruscātiōn- (stem of coruscātiō ). See coruscate, -ion

Example Sentences

Nor is there now any blinding coruscation of genius.

From Time Magazine Archive

Should it "be compared to the coruscation of the electric fluid in the aurora borealis? or to the more magnificent cone of the zodiacal light?"

From A Popular History of Astronomy During the Nineteenth Century Fourth Edition by Clerke, Agnes M. (Agnes Mary)

And what is a smile or a laugh except a coruscation of the Soul's delight, a light shot outwardly from that which shines within?

From The Banquet (Il Convito) by Sayer, Elizabeth Price

But the lady took it as a coruscation of rustic wit, and laughed.

From The Revellers by Tracy, Louis

They seemed to speak together as if in some scene or passage of celestial drama, nor did I know which was the diviner speech, the moon's unwavering effulgence or that leaping coruscation of the stars.

From Apologia Diffidentis by Dalton, O. M. (Ormonde Maddock)