GLint

Glint is a term used in English to describe a brief flash or small gleam of light, often seen as a pinpoint of brightness on a surface or in a person’s eye. As a noun, it can refer to the momentary spark produced by light striking a shiny surface; as a verb, to glint means to emit or reflect a small, sharp light briefly.

In optics and perception, glints are specular highlights produced by the reflection of a light source. The appearance and intensity of a glint depend on surface roughness, viewing angle, and light strength. Glints help convey the texture of objects and can contribute to the realism of images in photography, film, and computer-generated rendering.

In everyday language, glint is also used metaphorically, as in “a glint in her eye,” indicating a trace or hint of emotion, intention, or mischief. The term thus spans physical phenomena and figurative language, functioning as both a descriptive noun and a dynamic verb.

Beyond human perception, glint appears in scientific and technical contexts. In astronomy and remote sensing, it describes brief bright reflections off shiny surfaces, including water. In satellite imaging, solar glint can produce transient bright spots that affect measurements. In computer graphics, glint refers to simulated specular highlights that add realism to material appearances.

Glint is related to terms such as glimmer and gleam, all describing small, momentary flashes of light or brightness.