Quick, repeated movements of light or flame that appear and disappear in rapid succession, or birds that peck at tree bark for insects.
From Old English 'flacorian' meaning to flutter. The word evolved to describe any quick, trembling motion, especially of light or flame. By the early 1900s, it also became the name of a type of woodpecker.
The word 'flickers' became slang for movies in early cinema because of how film projected with a flickering effect! So when people talked about going to the 'flicks,' they were literally describing the visual phenomenon of the new invention.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.