From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishglimpseglimpse1 /ɡlɪmps/ ●○○ noun [countable] 1 SEEa quick look at someone or something that does not allow you to see them clearlyglimpse of They caught a glimpse of a dark green car.brief/fleeting/quick glimpse (=a very short look) We only had a fleeting glimpse of the river.2 UNDERSTANDa short experience of something that helps you begin to understand itglimpse of/into/at a glimpse of what life might be like in the future
Examples from the Corpus
glimpse• This year it is different, and well worth catching a glimpse of the latest from the world's car makers.• No one ever caught a glimpse of his furrowed face smiling over innocent pleasantries.• But viewers in Britain are unlikely to get a glimpse of Linda's high-rise exploits.• It was as if she'd been given a glimpse of paradise, and then had it barred to her for ever.• It is a glimpse into the future.• Still, a glimpse into the medical industry as it existed 100 years back just might temper your view.• He sent home letters and telegrams that give us a glimpse behind the facade of the official portrait: Loved the ladies.• There are glimpses of Mengele joking with the children, taking them on outings, hugging them.caught a glimpse• Through open front doors, Elizabeth caught glimpses of shiny tiled floors and highly polished furniture.• He caught a glimpse of a slightly embarrassed but charming smile.• In the warm yellow light of the dining car windows I caught a glimpse of a woman raising a wine glass.• I've never caught a glimpse but I bet his bum's bright red like a baboon's too.• The car slowed down and a chill swept over as she caught a glimpse of the driver.• She caught a glimpse of his paleness at the window of the bathroom on the first floor.• Through cracks in the lush indigo covering they caught glimpses of golden starlight in the deep-blue sky.• By craning his neck, Gao Yang caught a glimpse of sky through a fork in the branches.glimpse of/into/at• Beyond, a glimpse of carnage - the pile-up on the southbound lane resembled a scrap metal yard.• He caught a glimpse of a pinup calendar above a dressing table, some bars of Lifebuoy soap.• How could I not resent some stupid clouds robbing me of my one, brief glimpse of eternity?• As they rode cautiously along, Fenella caught glimpses of movement in between the trees.• A few minutes later he caught his first glimpse of Space Station One, only a few miles away.• Because of its position, it gives us our first glimpse of history there.• Craning her neck, she caught a last glimpse of Beth and the child.• Poor man, shut out, as they all were except her, from that glimpse of heaven's dazzling sweetness.glimpseglimpse2 verb [transitive] 1 to see someone or something for a moment without getting a complete view of them SYN catch sight of I glimpsed a figure at the window.RegisterIn everyday English, people often say catch sight of somebody/something rather than glimpse somebody/something: I caught sight of him as he was getting into his car.2 to begin to understand something for a moment For the first time she glimpsed the truth about her sister.→ See Verb tableExamples from the Corpus
glimpse• From the corner of my eye, I glimpsed a man running out of the store.• There were two servants still: the woman he had glimpsed, and a steward more frail and more sullen.• Satellites in low-earth orbit glimpse only fragments of the planet.• Omally, startled by the cry, leapt from his seat, and glimpsed Pooley's dire predicament.• He glimpsed the despair that she must have felt.• This show examines evidence both pro and con, and glimpses the future of Mars research.• Male speaker I glimpsed the van going into reverse.• She glimpsed them as they passed the tavern.• His heart hammered in terror as he glimpsed those shaggy, hulking shapes of shadowy grey speeding across the meadows.Origin glimpse2 (1300-1400) Perhaps from an unrecorded Old English glimsian 