flicker
v.v. to shine with a light that keeps going on and off or getting brighter and softer. You can also use it to describe a quick, weak feeling or movement.
v. to shine with an unsteady or wavering light; to move with a rapid, jerky motion. Often describes light sources or brief emotional displays.
The candle began to flicker in the wind.
The old streetlights flicker every time a heavy truck drives past the building.
A brief smile began to flicker across her face before she regained her composure and continued the difficult negotiation.
From Middle English flikeren (“to flutter”), from Old English flicerian, flicorian (“to flutter”), from Proto-West Germanic *flikurōn. Akin to Saterland Frisian flikkerje (“to flicker”), West Frisian flikkerje (“to flicker”), Dutch flikkeren (“to flicker, flutter”), German Low German flickern (“to light up, flash, flicker”). Compare Old English flacor (“flickering, fluttering”), German flackern (“to flicker, flutter”), Old English flēogan (“to fly”).
1808, American English, probably echoic of the bird's call, or from the white spotted plumage which appears to flicker. It is also true that the bird vigorously flicks away treebark, woodchips, and ground detritus while feeding, which may possibly explain the name.
From flick + -er.
Intransitive — does not take a direct object.